Equities close in red on weak global cues, selling pressure (Second Lead)

Mumbai Oct 5 (IANS) Key Indian equity indices which opened in the green on Thursday closed on a lower note on the back of weak European markets and heavy selling pressure in banking and oil and gas stocks.

The wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) fell by 27.45 points or 0.28 per cent to provisionally close at 9 887.45 points (at 3.30 p.m.).

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE which opened at 31 725.85 points closed at 31 592.03 points -- down 79.68 points or 0.25 per cent from its previous close.

The Sensex touched a high of 31 772.41 points and a low of 31 562.25 points during intra-day trade.

However the BSE market breadth was bullish -- 1 503 advances and 1 151 declines.

On Wednesday the benchmark indices closed on a higher note as positive global cues coupled with healthy buying in healthcare oil and gas and FMCG stocks buoyed investors sentiments.

The Nifty50 rose by 55.40 points or 0.56 per cent to close at 9 914.90 points while the Sensex closed at 31 671.71 points -- up 174.33 points or 0.55 per cent.

--IANS
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