Indian equity benchmarks closed lower for third consecutive session on Friday, with falling about 2% for the week and more than half a percent in today's trade. Oil & gas, technology, auto and select metal companies' shares dragged down the market while buying in banking, power and telecom stocks has limited the downside.
Benchmarks stayed below their psychologically important levels for another session - the 50-share NSE Nifty fell 30.35 points, to close at 5,366.40 and the 30-share BSE Sensex dropped 115.35 points, to end at 17,870.53. Shorts build up in heavyweights could be the reason behind today's downtrend. According to Sridhar Sivaram, ED at Morgan Stanley Investment Managers, the market is already in consolidation phase. He sees it trading in a tight range around 18,000 levels for the next three to six month as he doesn't see improvement in the macro front till then. "Lack of reforms is a worry for the market. And, on back of that we may end the year flat." However, Ramesh Damani, member of BSE sees noDiscover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!