New Delhi/Mumbai, 19 June (H.S.):

The domestic stock market's five-session winning streak came to an end on Friday as benchmark indices closed sharply lower amid global uncertainties and heavy selling in information technology (IT) stocks. The BSE Sensex declined 607 points, while the NSE Nifty fell 155 points.

The sell-off was triggered by cautious revenue guidance issued by global technology company Accenture. Consequently, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensex plunged 607.08 points, or 0.78 per cent, to close at 76,802.90. During intra-day trading, the index had slumped as much as 940.26 points.

Similarly, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Nifty declined 154.90 points, or 0.64 per cent, to settle at 24,013.10. With this, the domestic market's rally, which had continued for five consecutive trading sessions, came to a halt. During the previous five sessions, the Sensex had gained 3,577.43 points, or 4.84 per cent, while the Nifty had advanced 1,006.40 points, or 4.34 per cent.

Among the Sensex constituents, Infosys emerged as the biggest loser, followed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra, HDFC Bank, and Mahindra & Mahindra. On the other hand, Bharti Airtel, Power Grid Corporation, and NTPC ended the session in positive territory. On the Nifty, the top losers included Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tech Mahindra, HCL Technologies, and Mahindra & Mahindra.

Among other Asian markets, South Korea's Kospi ended marginally lower, while Japan's Nikkei closed with gains. Markets in China and Hong Kong remained shut due to a public holiday. In the global commodities market, benchmark Brent crude fell 0.58 per cent to USD 79.39 per barrel. Meanwhile, the Indian rupee surrendered its early gains but eventually settled six paise stronger at 94.34 (provisional) against the US dollar.

It is noteworthy that the domestic equity market had extended its gains for the fifth consecutive trading session on Thursday. At the close of trade, the Sensex had risen 254.36 points, or 0.33 per cent, to settle at 77,409.98, while the NSE Nifty had advanced 82.30 points, or 0.34 per cent, to close at 24,168.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar