Mumbai, Dec 9 (IANS) A benchmark index of the Indian equities markets Wednesday shut shop 0.59 percent lower amid volatility even as banking and metal stocks came under selling pressure.
The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) that opened at 17,204.32 points closed at 17,125.22 points, down 102.46 points or 0.59 percent lower from Tuesday’s closing at 17,227.68 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was at 5,112 points, against the previous close at 5,147.95 points, a loss of 35.95 points or 0.7 percent.

Buying activity picked up in smaller company scrips with the BSE smallcap index ending 0.36 percent higher. However, medium sized company scrips came under selling pressure resulting in the BSE midcap index closing 0.58 percent down.

The market breadth was tilted towards the positive, with 1,507 stocks advancing, 1,306 scrips declining and 75 remaining unchanged.

Data with markets watchdog Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) showed that foreign funds were net buyers Wednesday, having sold scrips worth $213 million.

Most other Asian markets were also ruling in the red.

A key Japanese index, the Nikkei, closed 1.34 percent or 135.75 points down at 10,004.72 points as profit booking continued.

The Hang Seng, a benchmark index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange too was in the negative at 21,741.76 points, 1.44 percent or 318.76 points down.

In China, the Shanghai composite index ended 1.73 percent in the negative at 3,239.57 points.

However, the Kospi, the benchmark index of the Korean Stock Exchange, closed in the green at 1,634.17 points, up 0.39 percent.

European markets were ruling flat.

The FTSE 100 index, benchmark index of the London Stock Exchange, was ruling flat at 5,226.46 points, 3.33 points or 0.06 percent up.

The French index, CAC 40, was ruling at 3,782.48 points, down 2.82 points, while its German peer, the DAX, was trading 9.55 points lower at 5,679.03 points.