Sensex, Nifty End Marginally Lower; Banking Shares Fall, IT Stocks Gain

Five of 11 sector gauges compiled by the National Stock Exchange ended higher led by the Nifty Bank index's 1 per cent fall.

The Indian equity benchmarks ended marginally lower as investors booked profits at record highs in banking, metal and financial services. However, buying in information technology and power shares capped the downside for the benchmarks. During the session, Nifty touched record high of 15,778.80 before succumbing to profit taking and Sensex fell as much as 297 points from day's highest level. The Sensex fell 53 points or 0.1 per cent lower at 52,276 and Nifty 50 index slipped 12 points to close at 15,740. Five of 11 sector gauges compiled by the National Stock Exchange ended higher led by the Nifty Bank index's 1 per cent fall. Nifty Financial Services, Metal, PSU Bank and Private Bank indices also closed lower. On the other hand, information technology, power, auto, realty and FMCG shares witnessed buying interest.