Markets gain nearly 20% in 2023; fall on final trading day

The 30-share BSE Sensex fell 170.12 points or 0.23% to settle at 72,240.26

Equity indices Sensex and Nifty declined on the last trading day of 2023 as investors preferred profit-taking after the recent sharp rally, finishing a record-setting year with benchmarks surging by up to 20%.

After a five-day winning run, selling pressure emerged in energy, banking and IT counters on Friday, which dragged indices lower, traders said.

The 30-share BSE Sensex fell 170.12 points or 0.23% to settle at 72,240.26 after a weak beginning to the trade. During the day, it dropped 327.74 points or 0.45% to 72,082.64.

The wider gauge Nifty declined 47.30 points or 0.22% to settle at 21,731.40. In intra-day trade, the index slipped 101.8 points or 0.46% to 21,676.90.

In 2023, the BSE benchmark jumped 11,399.52 points or 18.73%, and the Nifty climbed 3,626.1 points or 20%.

Among the Sensex firms, State Bank of India, Infosys, Titan, Tech Mahindra, IndusInd Bank, NTPC, ICICI Bank, Power Grid, Reliance Industries and Kotak Mahindra Bank were the major laggards.

On the other hand, Tata Motors, Nestle, Hindustan Unilever, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finance and UltraTech Cement were among the gainers.