The benchmark Sensex took more blows as it slid further by nearly 145 points to 25,185.5 after selling in frontline shares in energy and oil and gas made things shaky. This came on top of weak global cues after deadly terror attacks in Brussels yesterday. Investors are bracing for a long weekend of holidays as markets will remain closed tomorrow and Friday on account of Holi and Good Friday, respectively.
Telecom, metal, realty and auto segments gained traction. The Sensex resumed lower before trading at 25,185.52 at 1143 hours, a loss of 144.97 points, or 0.57 per cent. The NSE 50-share Nifty also dropped 35.60 points, or 0.46 per cent, to quote below the crucial 7,700-level at 7,679.30 at 1143 hours.
The ones that encountered losses include Reliance (1.96 per cent), HDFC (1.59 per cent), ONGC (1.55 per cent) and NTPC (1.17 per cent).
However, Bharti Airtel rose 2.33 per cent followed by Tata Motors 2.59 per cent and Tata Steel 1.11 per cent.
Foreign funds continued their buying momentum yesterday as they bought shares worth Rs 1,095.44 crore, exchange data showed.
Overseas, Asian indices were trading lower following lacklustre overnight cues in the US and geopolitical concerns following the deadly terror attacks in Brussels.
Most US stocks fell yesterday as a decline in financial and consumer-staples shares kept the main benchmarks on edge.
PTI