Sensex ends 91 points down; ITC falls 1.58 per cent

The BSE benchmark Sensex Tuesday closed 91 points lower on profit-booking mainly in consumer durables and FMCG stocks such as ITC amid a weak Asian trend.

The Sensex declined by 91.37 points, or 0.46 per cent, to 19,659.82. The index had gained 254 points in last three sessions.

The index-linked ITC fells 1.58 per cent to Rs 302.05 on profit-booking after gaining 7.3 per cent in January.

The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty lost 30.35 points, or 0.51 per cent, to 5,956.90.

Brokers said market remained under pressure as foreign investors refrained from enlarging their positions amid a weak Asian trend amid renewed concern about Europe's debt crisis.

They said selling was more confined to recent gainers led by consumer durables, FMCG, power and metal sectors.

A weak quarter earnings by UCO bank in continuation Bank of Baroda and IDFC Ltd yesterday also influenced the market sentiment to some extent, they added.

ICICI Bank tumbled 1.23 per cent to Rs 1,167.50, its third straight day of losses after reporting its quarter earnings.

Tata Motors reduced its recent gains by losing 1.54 per cent to Rs 287.05 and BHEL, a biggest power-equipment maker, dropped 3.19 per cent to Rs 212.20. UCO Bank stocks fell by 5.11 per cent to Rs 67.80 on dip in earnings.

The two most heavy on the benchmark with their nearly 16 per cent weightage - Reliance Industries and Infosys declined by 1.13 per cent to Rs 876.35 and by 0.16 per cent to Rs 2,758.05, respectively.

In 30-BSE index components, 19 stocks declined while 11 closed with gains. Barring Healthcare, all sectoral indices were lower on all-round selling.