Sensex near 4-month low, investors sceptical over US election outcom

Global uncertainty over Donald Trump's likely strong show in US election has also spooked Indian markets, with Sensex extending losses for the fourth day by shedding 97 points to close at a nearly four-month low of 27,430.28 and Nifty dipping below the crucial 8,500-mark on Thursday.

The emergence of selling pressure towards the fag-end washed out early gains, with participants offloading stocks in mainly oil & gas, realty and IT sectors.

However, buying interest was witnessed in select sectors like telecom and FMCG. Besides, investors were keenly awaiting the outcome of the two-day GST Council meet starting today to finalise a 4-tier tax structure.

Anand James, chief market strategist, Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services Ltd, said, "Markets were not entirely bereft of domestic cues, with textile, pharma and services getting brief fillips. But with global markets still on uncertain footing ahead of US elections, Indian stocks fluctuated. Little respite is expected until at least next week... while consensus on GST rates, could also give a distraction for domestic markets."

After opening lower at 27,518.06, the Sensex recovered to the day's high of 27,600.74 on bargain-buying by participants, including domestic financial institutions. However, it again slipped into negative terrain to hit a low of 27,399.26 before settling 96.94 points, or 0.35%, lower at 27,430.28 - its weakest closing since July 8, when it ended at 27,126.90.

The gauge had lost 414.29 points in the previous three days, tracking negative global cues.

The Nifty after shuttling between 8,476.15 and 8,537.65, concluded 29.05 points, or 0.34%, down at 8,484.95.

Meanwhile, services sector activity in the country gathered pace in October. The Nikkei India Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), which tracks services sector companies on a monthly basis, stood at 54.5 in October as against 52.0 in September.

Investor sentiment remained downbeat in anticipation of a possible win for Trump in US presidential poll, with markets globally could not cheer the US Fed decision to keep interest rate unchanged.

Overseas, Asian stocks ended largely mixed with Hong Kong's Hang Seng falling 0.56%, while Shanghai Composite Index moved up 0.84%. Japanese financial markets were closed today for a public holiday. Europe too was mixed in early deals with Frankfurt down 0.06%, while London's FTSE and Paris rose 0.22% each.