Sensex, Nifty close in red; Deepak Fertilisers jumps 4 per cent, Bayer CropScience declines over 2 per cent

The domestic benchmark indices lost their gaining streak on Thursday as Sensex declined by 236.48 points or 0.54 per cent to settle at 43,357.19 levels while Nifty closed down by 58.35 points or 0.46 per cent at 12,690.80 levels.

Finance Ministry today announced a set of new stimulus measures to support the economic growth of the country. The government announced income tax relief to be provided up to 20 per cent of the differential between circle rate and the agreement, compared to 10 per cent previously. This would be applicable to the primary sale of residential units of value up to Rs 2 crore.

Realty stocks gained soon after the announcement was made, which aimed to extend relief to the realty sector.

Asian indices such as Shanghai index, Hang Seng and KOSPI fell by 0.11 per cent, 0.22 per cent, and 0.41 per cent, respectively whereas, Nikkei closed up by 0.68 per cent. In the European markets, FTSE 100, DAX, and CAC 40 were trading in red, down by 0.24 per cent, 0.52 per cent, and 0.72 per cent, respectively.

Sensex gainers included HUL that soared by 2.89 per cent, ITC went up by 1.43 per cent, Larsen & Toubro increased by 1.31 per cent, Bajaj Finserv rose by 1.06 per cent, Tech Mahindra gained by 0.81 per cent, Bajaj Finance increased by 0.76 per cent, etc.

Sensex draggers consisted of SBI that declined by 3.16 per cent, Kotak Mahindra Bank fell by 2.91 per cent, IndusInd Bank decreased by 2.41 per cent, NTPC plunged by 2.31 per cent, ICICI Bank fell by 2.10 per cent, Axis Bank declined by 1.46 per cent, etc.

Amongst sectoral indices on BSE, the FMCG index was the biggest gainer, up by 1.39 per cent whereas, Bankex was the biggest loser, down by 2.05 per cent. BSE Small-Cap index surged by 1.20 per cent while BSE Mid-Cap index gained by 0.50 per cent.