Indian markets recoup losses after initial bloodbath

Mumbai, Nov 27: Indian equities managed to stem the losses suffered in the morning and afternoon sessions Friday, with a key index ending trade 1.32 percent lower after falling more than 3.82 percent over fears of a debt default by Dubai World.

Indian stock markets had joined the tumble in bourses around the world after the state-owned holding company Dubai World, which manages that emirate's portfolio of businesses, said it had asked creditors for an extension of six months on debt repayments.

The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened the day at 16,718.8 points, shut shop at 16,632.01 points, down 1.32 percent or 222.92 points, against Thursday's close at 16,854.93 points.

It had fallen by 644.49 points or 3.82 percent at one point.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty closed at 4,941.75 points, against the previous close at 5,005.55 points, a loss of 63.8 points or 1.27 percent.

Broader market indices also managed to close above the day's lows with the BSE midcap index down 1.35 percent and the BSE small cap index ending 2.14 percent lower.

The market breadth was negative, with 735 stocks advancing, 2,023 declining and 44 remaining unchanged.

Of the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE, 12 came under varying degrees of selling pressure, with IT and infrastructure stocks losing the most.

There were only five gainers on the Sensex: Bharti Airtel, up 0.94 percent at Rs.283.65; Hero Honda, up 0.53 percent at Rs.1,745.70; Reliance Infra, up 0.43 percent at Rs.1,039.10; Grasim Industries, up 0.3 percent at Rs.2,366.75; and Tata Steel, up 0.27 percent at Rs.544.90.

Among the major losers were Jaiprakash Associates, down 3.05 percent at Rs.214.50; L&T, down 2.71 percent at Rs.1,586.50; Infosys, down 2.45 percent at Rs.2,328.30; and TCS, down 2.4 percent at Rs.671.60.

According to markets regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), foreign institutional investors bought scrips worth $66.1 million Friday.

Investors remained jittery around the world over concerns that Dubai World's debt burden would be a blow to the nascent signs of economic revival.

A key Japanese index, the Nikkei, shut 3.22 percent or 301.72 points lower at 9,081.52 points.

The Hang Seng, a benchmark index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, was at 21,134.5 points, 4.84 percent or 1,075.91 points lower.

The Kospi, the benchmark index of the Korean Stock Exchange, also fell to 1,524.5 points, down 4.69 percent.

In China, the Shanghai composite index similarly ended in the red, falling 2.36 percent to 3,096.26 points.

Dubai World's debt burden stands at $59 billion of the total $80 billion debt of the state, which has authorised the restructuring of the company that will now be spearheaded by Dubai Financial Support Fund (DFSF).

Dubai markets were closed Thursday and Friday and will reopen only Monday.

European markets seemed to stabilise after marking losses Thursday. A key index of the London Stock Exchange, the FTSE 100 index was ruling 0.43 percent lower at 5,171.63 points.

The French index, CAC 40, was at 3,668.59 points, down0.29 percent, while its German peer, the DAX was trading 0.46 percent down at 5,588.49 points.

The US markets are shut Friday for Thanksgiving.