Mirroring weak trend in the global markets the Sensex opened with a negative gap of 122 points at 14,064. The index soon dropped to a low of 14,011.
Renewed buying interest in technology and select heavyweights saw the index recover as the day progressed. Lower than expected inflation further boosted sentiment, as a result of which, the index rebounded into the positive zone. The index touched a high of 14,229 -- up 218 points from the day's low.
However, a fresh round of selling in late trades forced the index tumble back in red. The Sensex finally settled with a loss of 117 points at 14,069.
The BSE Auto index slipped 2.3% to 4701. The FMCG and Metal indices dropped 1.8% each to 1779 and 10,243, respectively.
The market breadth was negative - out of 2,495 stocks traded, 1,463 declined, 958 advanced and 74 were unchanged on Friday.
Tech Bucks The Trend
Tata Steel plunged nearly 5% to Rs 586. ACC slumped 4.5% to Rs 769.
HDFC and Tata Motors tumbled over 3.5% each to Rs 1,754 and Rs 654, respectively.
Maruti and ITC slipped around 3% each to Rs 737 and Rs 151, respectively.
Ranbaxy shed 2.5% to Rs 369. Hero Honda and Dr.Reddy's dropped 2.3% each to Rs 681 and Rs 632, respectively.
BHEL, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Auto, Reliance Energy, NTPC and HLL were down 1-2% each.
Hindalco and Satyam surged 3% each to Rs 158 and Rs 495, respectively.
TCS and ONGC spurted over 1% each to Rs 1,221 and Rs 548, respectively.
Most Active Counters
Reliance topped the value chart with a turnover of Rs 187.70 crore followed by Nitin Fire (Rs 148.40 crore), Infosys (Rs 113.80 crore), SBI (Rs 112.90 crore) and Satyam (Rs 106.90 crore).
IFCI led the volume chart with trades of around 1.20 crore shares followed by Reliance Natural (79.35 lakh), G V Films (69.40 lakh), Tata Teleservices (56.40 lakh) and Rana Sugars (54.15 lakh).
