The benchmark equity indices have erased all their morning gains and are now trading in negative territory during the late morning deals on Tuesday, with benchmarks slipping further amid continued weakness in banking stocks.
Meanwhile, Gold held steady on Tuesday as investors awaited more clarity on stalled peace talks between the United States and Iran, as well as key central bank decisions this week to see if the Middle East conflict has altered the interest rate outlook.
Among key stocks, Piramal Finance shares gained 6.7 per cent in trade on BSE, logging an all-time high at ₹1,966 per share. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) shares hit a 52-week high of ₹293.20, gaining 3 per cent.
At 11:41 hours, the 30-share benchmark index was trading at 77157.38 down by -146.25 points or by -0.19 % and then NSE Nifty was at 24111.65 up by 18.95 points or by 0.08 %.
The BSE Sensex touched intraday high of 77493.53 and intraday low of 76973.54 The NSE Nifty touched intraday high of 24181.8 and intraday low of 23999.25.
The top gainers of the BSE Sensex pack were Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Rs. 1755.60,+1.26%), Tata Steel Ltd. (Rs. 216.15,+1.24%), Reliance Industries Ltd. (Rs. 1382.20,+1.19%), Bharti Airtel Ltd. (Rs. 1838.80,+1.06%), Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. (Rs. 2467.00,+0.80%), among others.
The top losers of the BSE Sensex pack were Eternal Ltd. (Rs. 247.30,-3.25%), Axis Bank Ltd. (Rs. 1294.35,-2.28%), HCL Technologies Ltd. (Rs. 1210.00,-1.52%), InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. (Rs. 4494.90,-1.50%), UltraTech Cement Ltd. (Rs. 11857.65,-1.29%), among others.
Among the sectors, BSE Oil&Gas index was at 27694.26 up by 265.93 points or by 0.97%. Oil India Ltd. (Rs. 495.00,+3.99%), Oil And Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (Rs. 295.70,+3.45%), Indraprastha Gas Ltd. (Rs. 167.25,+1.43%), Reliance Industries Ltd. (Rs. 1381.50,+1.14%), Adani Total Gas Ltd. (Rs. 642.95,+1.08%),.
On the flip side, BSE Auto index was at 57340.92 down by -197.89 points or by -0.34%. TVS Motor Company Ltd. (Rs. 3500.35,-1.49%), Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd. (Rs. 126.45,-1.10%), Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (Rs. 2199.90,-1.08%), Sundram Fasteners Ltd. (Rs. 809.25,-1.05%), MRF Ltd. (Rs. 131060.00,-0.86%),.
The Market breadth, indicating the overall strength of the market, was weak. On BSE out of total shares traded 4313 , shares advanced were 2119 while 1962 shares declined and 232 were unchanged.