Sensex ends marginally lower; bank stocks fall

The BSE Sensex ended marginally lower Friday on losses in banking stocks as investors turned cautious after the minutes of RBI's latest policy meeting highlighted growth concerns.

The 30-share Sensex settled 26.87 points, or 0.07 per cent lower at 35,871.48. The broader NSE Nifty inched up 1.80 points, or 0.01 per cent, to 10,791.65.

During the week, Sensex rose 62.53 points or 0.17 per cent, while the Nifty advanced 67.25 points or 0.62 per cent.

Kotak Bank was the biggest loser in the Sensex pack Friday, falling 3.71 per cent, followed by RIL, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, PowerGrid, IndusInd Bank, Asian Paints, HDFC and ITC.

On the other hand, Yes Bank was the top gainer, spurting 3.23 per cent.
Other winners were Vedanta, Tata Motors, NTPC, M&M, Maruti, ONGC and Hero MotorCorp, rising up to 2.86 per cent.

Sectorally, the BSE bankex and finance indices fell up to 0.43 per cent. Energy and consumer durables too ended in the red.

BSE metal, auto, realty, power and oil and gas indices gained up to 1.62 per cent.

Broader indices outperformed the benchmarks, with the BSE Midcap index gaining 0.38 per cent and the small-cap gauge rising 0.77 per cent.

According to traders, despite positive global cues, investor sentiment turned weak after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the minutes of its latest monetary policy meet after market hours Thursday.

The central bank's Monetary Policy Committee noted the "weakened growth momentum" amidst inflation cooling off as it delivered a surprise rate cut earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the rupee appreciated 5 paise to 71.19 against the US dollar intra-day.