Closing Bell: Sensex sheds 392 points, Nifty falls below 11,700

Extending its losses for the fourth straight session, equity benchmark Sensex tanks 392 points on Wednesday amid coronavirus outbreak continued to rattle markets globally. After dropping over 521 points during the day, the 30-share BSE gauge finally settled 392.24 points, or 0.97 per cent, lower at 39,888.96.

Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty plummeted 119.40 points or 1.01 per cent to end at 11,678.50. Sun Pharma was the top loser in the Sensex pack, followed by Maruti, L&T, Hero Motocorp, Infosys, ONGC and RIL. On the other hand, SBI, HUL, HCL Tech, Asian Paints, and Ultratech Cement ended with gains.

In the previous session, the Sensex settled 82.03 points, or 0.20 per cent, lower at 40,281.20, and the Nifty declined 31.50 points or 0.27 per cent to end at 11,797.90.

Bourses in Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul and Hong Kong settled with significant losses. Stock exchanges in Europe were trading on a negative note in their morning sessions. Equities on Wall Street plunged in overnight trade after American health authorities said they ultimately expect the novel coronavirus to spread in the United States. Brent crude oil futures fell 1.77 per cent to USD 53.30 per barrel. On the currency front, the Indian rupee appreciated by 21 paise to 71.64 per US dollar (intra-day).

Bullion Market Closing: Gold futures fall Rs 187 to Rs 42,601 per 10 gram

Gold prices on Wednesday fell by Rs 187 to Rs 42,601 per 10 gram in futures trade as participants cut down their positions tracking a weak trend overseas. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold prices for April delivery fell by Rs 187, or 0.44 per cent, to Rs 42,601 per 10 gram in a business turnover of 2,522 lots.

The yellow metal for June delivery declined by Rs 213, or 0.50 per cent, to Rs 42,790 per 10 gram in 95 lots. Analysts said subdued overseas cues influenced sentiments here. Globally, gold was trading 0.25 per cent lower at USD 1,645.90 per ounce in New York.

(Witth inputs from PTI)