Sensex, Nifty end marginally higher as inflation data dampens mkt mood

Mumbai, Nov 15:Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty ended marginally higher on Monday as rise in WPI inflation capped early gains despite a positive trend in global markets.
The 30-share index settled 32.02 points or 0.05 per cent higher at 60,718.71. Similarly, the Nifty rose 6.70 points or 0.04 per cent to 18,109.45.
PowerGrid was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rising over 3 per cent, followed by ITC, Asian Paints, Nestle India and Kotak Bank.
On the other hand, Tata Steel, M&M, Bajaj Auto and SBI were among the laggards.
Indian markets opened on a positive note on Monday despite mixed cues from Asian market peers where Chinese shares traded lower post better than expected consumer spend data, said Narendra Solanki, Head- Equity Research (Fundamental), Anand Rathi.
During the afternoon session markets lost initial gains and traded marginally in green with buying in healthcare, IT, and tech stocks.
“Upside remain capped as WPI inflation in October surged to 12.54 per cent from 10.66 per cent a month ago and 1.31 per cent in October 2020,” he noted.
The wholesale price-based inflation spiked mainly due to rise in prices of manufactured products and crude petroleum. It has remained in double digit for the seventh consecutive month beginning April.
Elsewhere in Asia, bourses in Shanghai ended with losses, while Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul were positive.
Stock exchanges in Europe were trading with gains in mid-session deals.
Meanwhile, international oil benchmark Brent crude fell 1.33 per cent to USD 81.08 per barrel. (AGENCIES)
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Rupee slips 3 paise to close at 74.48 against US dollar
Mumbai, Nov 15:
The rupee slipped 3 paise to settle at 74.48 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday amid a muted trend in the domestic equity market.
However, lower crude prices in the international market restricted the rupee’s fall, forex dealers said.
At the interbank forex market, the local unit opened at 74.38 against the greenback and witnessed an intra-day high of 74.31 and a low of 74.49.
It finally ended at 74.48 against the American currency, registering a fall of just 3 paise over its previous close.
On Friday, the rupee had finished at 74.45 against the American currency.
The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, declined 0.06 to 95.06.
On the domestic equity market front, the BSE Sensex ended 32.02 points or 0.05 per cent higher at 60,718.71, while the broader NSE Nifty inched 6.70 points or 0.04 per cent higher at 18,109.45.
Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, fell 1.30 per cent to USD 81.10 per barrel.
Foreign institutional investors were net buyers in the capital market, as they purchased shares worth Rs 511.10 crore on Friday, according to exchange data. (agencies)