Sensex ends slightly lower ahead of RBI policy decision

Key Indian equity indices recovered from their day`s lows to provisionally close on a flat-to-negative note on Tuesday, even as broadly negative global cues and heavy selling pressure in auto, consumer durables and metal stocks kept market sentiment subdued.

Market observers said the losses were trimmed by good buying in stocks of banking majors like State Bank of India and Kotak Bank, and index heavyweights like Reliance Industries. 

The wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) edged lower by 9.50 points or 0.09 per cent at provisionally close (at 3.30 p.m.) at 10,118.25 points.

The barometer 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 32,814.03 points, closed at 32,802.44 points -- down 67.28 points or 0.20 per cent from Monday`s close.

The Sensex touched a high of 32,893.05 points and a low of 32,682.52 during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was bearish -- 1,547 declines and 1,110 advances.

On Monday, the benchmark indices closed in the green with marginal gains as a surge in stocks of IT major Infosys kept market sentiments buoyed. However, profit-booking in banking and auto stocks capped gains.

The NSE Nifty50 inched up 5.95 points or 0.06 per cent to 10,127.75 points, while the BSE Sensex closed at 32,869.72 points -- up 36.78 points or 0.11 per cent.