Nifty edges lower as IT sector hit by U.S. visa fears

Nifty fell for the third session in four, led by technology outsourcing stocks such as Infosys after local media reported the United States raised the cost of employment visas, sparking worries about the outlook in a key market for the sector.

Indian stocks have remained under pressure through the week, with analysts citing the uncertainty behind taxation of foreign investors as a main factor, though so far they have net sold only about USD 39 million worth this week as of Wednesday, according to provisional data.

Traders expect volatility on Friday ahead of the end of the 2011/12 fiscal year, which may lead to squaring of positions by institutional investors.

"This remains a sell on rises market, as the main trend still remains down," said CK Narayan, who runs financial advisory firm Growth Avenues Asset Advisors.

The main 30-share Bombay Stock Exchange Sensex lost 0.37% to 17,058.61, after hitting a two-month intraday low during the session.

The 50-share Nifty 0.31% at 5,178.85.

Among leading decliners, India's technology outsourcing companies fell on local media reports the United States had raised the cost of processing H-1B employment visas, which is widely used by domestic companies.

The higher costs could hit profit margins at India's USD 100 billion technology, and raised concerns the industry could be further targeted by the United States.

Infosys lost 1.8%, while Tata Consultancy Serviceslost 2.05%.

Government-owned capital goods maker BHELfell 1.35% after Minister for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises Praful Patel advised BHEL to explore possibilities of diversification into other sectors.

Portfolio positioning and profit-booking also hit some outperformers ahead of the end of the quarter and the fiscal year on Friday.

Larsen and Toubrofell 2.1%, after surging 31.5% this quarter as of Wednesday's close, compared with about a 12% gain in the Nifty index.

Shares of telecom stocks Bharti Airteland Idea Cellularfell over 1.5% each.

Trades attributed the falls to a report from The Financial Express, quoting a Department of Telecom official as saying it was considering a combined Rs 1000 crore in fines for the industry for violations of 3G license conditions.