Benchmark BSE Sensex gave up early gains to settle 115 points lower on the final day of fiscal 2021-22 on Thursday, dragged down by profit-taking in Reliance Industries, Infosys and HDFC Bank after a three-day rally.
The 30-stock barometer fell 115.48 points, or 0.20%, to 58,568.51 in choppy trading due to the expiry of monthly derivatives contracts. During the day it hit a high of 58,890.92 and a low of 58,485.79.
The broader NSE Nifty fell 33.50 points, or 0.19%, to settle at 17,464.75.
For fiscal year 2021-22, the BSE Sensex was up 9,059.36 points, or 18.29%, while the Nifty was up 2,774.05 points, or 18.88%.
“Although markets ended the last day of the fiscal year in a rather calm mood, Nifty has returned 19% this year, with two sector indices – metals and media – returning over 50% this year.
“Even in the broader market, both the mid-cap 100 and small-cap 100 have returned over 25% this year. Such returns, in a year when FPIs have withdrawn large amounts of money, underscores the confidence of the Indian investor amidst a lot of headwinds,” said S. Ranganathan, director of research at LKP Securities.
Among the 30 stocks, leading gainers included M&M, Hindustan Unilever Limited, Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank, Bharti Airtel, ITC and Titan.
In contrast, Reliance Industries Limited, Wipro, Dr. Reddy’s, UltraTech Cement and Infosys are among the biggest laggards.
In previous trade, the 30-part BSE Barometer Index rose 740.34 points, or 1.28%, to 58,683.99. Similarly, the NSE Nifty rose 172.95 points, or 1%, to settle at 17,498.25.
Elsewhere in Asia, stock markets in Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong ended lower, while Seoul ended with gains. Markets in Europe mostly traded lower.
Stock exchanges in the US ended the night session on a negative note.
Meanwhile, international oil benchmark Brent fell 5.09% to $107.68 a barrel after reports the US is considering releasing a record 180 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were buyers as they bought £1,357.47 billion worth of net shares on Wednesday, according to stock market data.
