Sensex, Nifty decline 0.3% this week

Indian equity benchmarks ended with moderate loss this week. The 50-share NSE Nifty was down 17.45 points or 0.3%, to close at 5,824.55 and the 30-share BSE Sensex slipped 64.63 points or 0.3%, to end at 19,386.82.

However, the broader indices were marginally in the green - the CNX Midcap Index was up 0.3% and BSE Small Cap Index up 0.5%.

The BSE Auto Index was up 0.6%, Bankex up 0.7% and Capital Goods Index up 1.8%. However, Metals Index was down 0.6% and Realty Index down 2.1%.

Information Technology Index cracked 4.5% on disappointing EPS guidance from Infosys for FY12.

Infosys has guided for an earnings per share of Rs 126.05-128.21 for 2011-12, while many analysts had projected an EPS of close to Rs 145-150.

Analysts say they are likely to lower their 2011-12 (April-March) earnings expectations for Infosys Technologies since the guidance is way below what they were expecting.

Infosys plunged 7.3%. DLF tanked 5.8% and Siemens India tumbled 5%. JSPL, Wipro and Cairn India were down 2-4%.

However, Hero Honda surged 10.6% as the company declared a dividend of Rs 70 a share. Jaiprakash Associates shot up 5.1%.

ITC, Bharti Airtel, L&T and Kotak Mahindra Bank gained 3-4%.

In midcap space, Finolex Industries went up 10.4%,. Jubilant Life Sciences, Sterlite Tech and IndusInd Bank gained 3.5-5%.

However, Aftek, Voltas, Gammon India and Rolta were down 3-4%.