Closing Bell: Sensex Ends 153 Points Lower At 38,144, Nifty Falls Below 11,200

Marking its seventh consecutive downfall session, BSE Sensex ends 153.27 points lower at 38,144.02 on Monday as detection of fresh coronavirus cases in India spooked domestic investors. Stock markets had rallied in morning session due to value buying by investors following sharp losses in the previous sessions.

Sensex rallied 786 points to touch the day’s high of 39,083.17. However, as the news of two more positive cases of new coronavirus was issued by the Union Health Ministry Sensex crashed almost 1,300 points from the day’s high to touch 37,785.99. Nifty also plunged to a low of 11,036.25.

Top losers in the Sensex pack includes SBI, Tata Steel, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto, ONGC and IndusInd bank. On the other hand, HCL Tech, Nestle India, ICICI Bank and Infosys were among the gainers.

In the previous session on Friday, the Sensex logged its second-biggest one-day fall in history as concerns over the coronavirus triggered a manic global sell-off. The 30-share index ended 1,448.37 points, or 3.64 per cent, lower at 38,297.29, while the Nifty sank 431.55 points or 3.71 per cent to end at 11,201.75.

Bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo ended with significant gains as investors began value-buying in recently-hammered equities.

Stock exchanges in Europe too turned positive in their morning sessions. Brent crude oil futures fell 2.25 per cent to USD 50.79 per barrel. On the currency front, the Indian rupee depreciated 12 paise to 72.36 per US dollar (intra-day).

Bullion Market Closing: Gold Prices Jump Rs 391, Silver Zooms Rs 713

Gold prices jumped by Rs 391 to Rs 42,616 per 10 gram in New Delhi on Monday following positive global trend, according to HDFC Securities. Silver also zoomed Rs 713 to Rs 46,213 per kg from Rs 45,500 per kg in the previous trade. On Saturday, gold had closed at Rs 42,225 per 10 gram.

Gold of 999 and 995 purity in Delhi was trading higher by Rs 440 at Rs 43,250 per 10 gram and Rs 43,100 per 10 gram, respectively, as per TickerPlant. “Spot gold for 24 karat in Delhi got support from rebound in international gold prices, gaining Rs 391 for the day. Gold prices traded up on relief rally on Monday along with other commodities after Friday’s sell off,” HDFC Securities Senior Analyst (Commodities) Tapan Patel said.

In the international market, gold was quoting higher at USD 1,604 per ounce and silver at USD 17 per ounce. “Gold prices witnessed recovery on Monday with international spot gold trading above USD 1,600 after falling to USD 1,585 in the previous week,” Patel added.

(With inputs from PTI)