New Delhi, 20 July (H.S.): The domestic equity market remained under pressure during early trading on Monday as rising crude oil prices in the international market dampened investor sentiment. Both the benchmark indices, the BSE Sensex and the NSE Nifty, opened lower and extended their losses due to sustained selling pressure. By 10:00 am, the Sensex was down 0.78 per cent, while the Nifty had declined 0.60 per cent.

Among the frontline stocks, Trent Ltd., ONGC, NTPC, JSW Steel and Cipla emerged as the top gainers, advancing between 1.16 per cent and 2.30 per cent. On the other hand, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, InterGlobe Aviation and Maruti Suzuki were the worst performers, declining between 1.28 per cent and 5.34 per cent.

Active trading was witnessed in 2,742 stocks by 10:00 am. Of these, 1,457 shares were trading in the green with gains, while 1,285 stocks were in the red.

Among the 30 constituent stocks of the Sensex, 18 were trading higher on buying support, while 12 were under selling pressure. Similarly, in the Nifty 50 index, 30 stocks were trading with gains, whereas 20 were trading lower.

The BSE Sensex opened flat at 78,151.45 points. Soon after the opening bell, broad-based selling intensified, dragging the index lower to an intraday low of 77,444.79 points. Buying interest later emerged, helping the benchmark recover part of its losses. By 10:00 am, the Sensex was trading at 77,545.52, down 605.93 points from its previous close.

The NSE Nifty, meanwhile, opened 144.25 points lower at 24,190.05. Selling pressure immediately after the opening pushed the index to an intraday low of 24,149.90. It later recovered slightly as investors returned to buying in select counters. By 10:00 am, the Nifty was trading at 24,188.60, down 145.70 points.

On the previous trading session last Friday, the Sensex had surged 964.58 points, or 1.25 per cent, to close at 78,151.45. The Nifty had also ended the session on a strong note, rising 261.55 points, or 1.09 per cent, to settle at 24,334.30.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar