Thaindian News

Mumbai, Dec 30 (IANS) Key indices of Indian equities markets lost nearly a quarter of their value in 2011 as slower growth and high inflation, coupled with a perception of policy paralysis dampened investor sentiments.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) ended the year at 15,454.92 points, down 24.20 percent or 4,934.15 points from its 2010 closing level of 20,389.07 points.

Indian markets are among the worst performer this year. Most other major global indices lost between 10 to 20 percent in 2011.

The benchmark Sensex closed at 15,454.92 points Friday, the last trading day of the week, down 0.57 percent or 89.01 points from its previous close at 15,543.93 points.

The index closed in the red for the fourth straight day. The 30 scrip index lost 516 points in the last four trading sessions.

At the National Stock Exchange, the 50-scrip S&P; CNX Nifty also lost nearly 25 percent of its value in 2011.

The Nifty closed 0.47 percent down at 4,624.30 points Friday, closing in the red for the fourth consecutive day.

Broader markets and most sectoral indices witnessed even more severe selling pressure in 2011. The BSE midcap index slumped 33.44 percent while the smallcap index tumbled 41.90 percent.

However, the BSE midcap and smallcap indices managed to close in the positive Friday. The midcap index rose 0.31 percent and the smallcap index closed 0.09 percent higher.

There was selling pressure in oil and gas and realty stocks. Oil and gas index of the BSE fell 1.47 percent and the realty index closed 1.1 percent down.

Reliance Industries slipped below Rs.700 for the first time in more than a year. The scrip fell 2.81 percent to Rs.690, taking 2011 loss to more than 30 percent.

The BSE bankex index fell 0.7 percent. Most lenders SBI, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and HDFC closed in the red.