Sensex Sheds Over 100 Points, Broader Markets Outperform

The broader indices are outperforming their largecap peers, with the BSE Midcap index and BSE Smallcap index gaining 0.4 per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively

The domestic stock markets are marginally lower in afternoon trading, amid bouts of choppiness, ahead of derivatives expiry. At 1:00 pm, the BSE Sensex is trading at 59,284.50, lower by 126 points or 0.21 per cent and the NSE Nifty is at 17,658.50, down 52 points or 0.29 per cent. The broader indices are outperforming their largecap peers, with the BSE Midcap index and BSE Smallcap index gaining 0.4 per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively.

The rupee has depreciated 22 paise to 74.36 against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, amid a muted trend in domestic equities. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened on a weak note at 74.28 and fell further to 74.36 thereafter.

Financials and pharma stocks are trading strong on Thursday afternoon. Bajaj Finance and Bajaj Finserv have gained 2 per cent and 1.4 per cent respectively to top the gainers list on the BSE. And in the pharma space, Sun Pharma and Dr Reddy's have gained around a per cent each on the BSE.

On the other hand, Asian Paints, Powergrid and Bajaj Auto are trading with losses of around a per cent each on the BSE.