Sensex Retreats 164.18 Points To Close At 41,141.85, Nifty Plunges 39.60 Points

Indian equity benchmarks Sensex plunged 164.18 points on Friday to close at 41,141.85, tracking subdued Asian market. The the broader NSE Nifty was also down 39.60 points and closed at 12,098.35 points. On Thursday, the Sensex had settled 163.37 points, or 0.40 per cent, higher at 41,306.03 and the Nifty had closed up 48.80 points, or 0.40 per cent, at 12,137.95 after the RBI left the policy rates unchanged but maintained its accommodative stance to boost growth.

Both equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty had logged their fourth straight gains on Thursday. Global crude benchmark Brent advanced 0.33 per cent to USD 55.30 per barrel.

On the currency front, the rupee declined by 22 paise to settle at 71.40 against the US dollar on Friday amid selling in domestic equities and strengthening of the American currency overseas.

Forex traders said the rupee traded weak largely owing to strengthening of the US dollar ahead of the non-farm payrolls number scheduled to be released later in the day.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local currency opened on a weak note at 71.26. During the day, the local unit lost further ground and touched a low of 71.49, before finally settling for the day at 71.40 against the US dollar, down 22 paise over its previous close.