NEW DELHI: Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty opened higher on first day of October futures and options series, amid positive Asian cues, following gains on Wall Street overnight in light of reports about robust US economic growth.But, market failed to hold altitude and turned negative soon after bouts of selling emerged in most sectors.
Rupee improved slightly against the US dollar today.
The rupee on Friday opened 8 paise up at 72.52 against dollar on account of selling of American currency by banks and exporters.
India will soon announce steps to boost exports, while not ruling out further import curbs, Reuters reported, quoting a senior finance ministry source.India on Wednesday raised import tariffs on 19 non-essential items, in a bid to reduce a widening current account deficit and a dramatic rupee slide.
The 30-share Sensex was 15 points down 36,308, with 11 stocks in the green zone around 9:30 am.The Nifty was 21 points down at 10,956 at that time.
Among the 50 stocks in the Nifty index, 15 stocks were up and 35 were down.Midcaps and smallcaps were underperforming Sensex.
The BSE Midcap was 1.40 per cent down at 14,795, while the BSE Smallcap was 1.85 per cent down at 14,663 around that time.
YES Bank, Vedanta, Bharti Airtel, Tata Steel and Mahindra Mahindra were among the top losers in the Sensex index.ITC, Asian Paints, HDFC, IndusInd Bank and Adani Ports were among the gainers in the Sensex kitty of stocks.