The two key equity benchmarks, Sensex and Nifty, on Monday closed trading after a dismal show, ahead of the CPI inflation data scheduled to come out on Tuesday. The BSE Sensex tanked 617 points to 73,503. On the other hand, the NSE Nifty50 closed at 22,333, down 161 points.
On the 30-share Sensex platform, PowerGrid, Tata Steel, SBI, IndusInd Bank, HUL, HDFC Bank emerged in the red. On the flip side, Nestle, Bajaj twins, TCS, Asian Paints, UltraCemco were among the gainers.
In the broader markets, the BSE Smallcap index plunged 2 per cent, while the BSE Midcap index dropped 0.24 per cent lower following reports saying that the SEBI may revise rules for mutual funds investing in small-cap stocks amid concerns of overheating in this segment.
Sectorally, all the indices closed in the red, with auto, capital goods, FMCG, oil & gas, bank, Information Technology, realty, metal, and power declined 0.5-1 per cent each.
In the previous session on Friday, the BSE and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) remain closed on account of Mahashivratri.