Sensex slides 256 points ahead of RBI meet; banks battered

After logging biggest weekly gain in 2013, the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex resumed its southward journey, tumbling 256 points during the week on fresh selling pressure amid cautious approach of investors ahead of the Reserve Bank policy meet next week.

After logging biggest weekly gain in 2013, the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex resumed its southward journey, tumbling 256 points during the week on fresh selling pressure amid cautious approach of investors ahead of the Reserve Bank policy meet next week.

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Banking shares, mainly of ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank, crumbled at the tail-end of the week under heavy selling after a sting operation revealed these private lenders were allegedly involved in money laundering activities.

As the scandal unfolded, the banks in questions ordered internal probes even as the Government moved swiftly and said action will be taken if any person is found guilty in the alleged money laundering scam.

Other interest-rate sensitive stocks from realty and auto sectors also saw profit-booking on receding hopes of rate cut by the Central bank in its March 19 monetary policy meeting due to rise in retail inflation despite a surge in industrial production data.

Besides BSE-CG index, which closed up 1.48 per cent, other 12 sectoral indices closed in the red between 0.02 per cent and 3.78 per cent with consumer durable, banking, auto, metal, IT, refinery and PSU suffering the most.

The 30-share Sensex resumed weak at 19,679.88 and hovered in a wide range of 19,754.66 and 19,179.33 before settling at 19,427.56, posting a net loss 255.67 points, or 1.30 per cent. Last week, the index had soared 764.71 points or 4.04 per cent, registering biggest weekly gain in 2013 and snapping over month-long losing spree.

The NSE 50-share Nifty also plunged by 73.10 points, or 1.23 per cent, fall below 5900 mark and settle at 5,872.60.