INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Equity benchmark Sensex tumbled 189 points on Monday led by losses in index heavyweights Reliance Industries, TCS and HDFC amid a negative
trend in global markets.After touching a lifetime high of 53,126.73 in opening session, the 30-share BSE index ended 189.45 points or 0.36
per cent lower at 52,735.59.Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty settled 45.65 points or 0.29 per cent down at 15,814.70
It touched a lifetime intra-day peak of 15,915.65.Titan was the top loser in the Sensex pack, shedding over 1 per cent, followed by TCS, HCL
Tech, Reliance Industries, UltraTech Cement and Bharti Airtel.On the other hand, Dr Reddy's, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, Sun Pharma and HUL
were among the gainers."After opening at a record high, the domestic markets slipped into the negative zone tracking cues from global peers
due to spike in COVID cases across Asia," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services.PSU banks were in focus in
anticipation of progress in privatisation, he said, adding that the market got volatile in the closing hour during the FM''s announcement on
fresh stimulus, though it was focused on COVID-19 relief package mainly for healthcare and stressed sectors, which will benefit the broader
economy.Elsewhere in Asia, bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo ended with losses
Stock exchanges in Europe were trading in the red in mid-session deals.Meanwhile, international oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.16
per cent lower at $75.26 per barrel.
