Why Did Markets Dip Ahead of the RBI Policy Meeting?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Sensex closed down 64.77 points.
- Nifty fell by 27.20 points.
- Investor caution ahead of the RBI meeting.
- Mixed sector performances observed.
- Auto sector showed resilience with strong sales.
Mumbai, Dec 1 (NationPress) The domestic equity markets wrapped up the trading session with a slight decline on Monday as investors adopted a cautious stance prior to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting scheduled for this week, coupled with profit-taking in select heavyweight stocks.
The Sensex concluded at 85,641.90, marking a decrease of 64.77 points or 0.08%. The 30-share index had initially opened positively at 86,065.92, up from the previous day's close of 85,706.67. However, it failed to maintain this upward momentum as investor sentiment turned cautious.
Nifty ended the day at 26,175.75, down by 27.20 points or 0.10%.
Analysts noted, "After achieving a new peak, the market entered a range-bound period as hopes for an RBI rate cut in December diminished due to better-than-anticipated Q2 GDP growth and a significant depreciation of the rupee."
Investor sentiment weakened slightly as GST collections for November were subdued, attributed to lower tax rates.
Meanwhile, the auto sector outperformed, buoyed by strong sales in November, supported by GST rationalization, manageable inflation, and robust demand from the wedding season, analysts added.
In the context of Sensex stocks, Bajaj Finance, Sun Pharma, Trent, Mahindra and Mahindra, SBI, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj FinServ, HDFC Bank, and Axis Bank closed lower, while Tata Motors PV, Maruti Suzuki, BEL, Kotak Bank, Adani Ports, HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, Eternal, and NTPC saw gains.
Sectoral indices exhibited volatility amid a mixed investor approach. Nifty FMCG dropped 95 points or 0.17%, Nifty Bank fell 71 points or 0.12%, and Nifty Fin Service declined 75 points or 0.27%. Conversely, Nifty Auto increased by 218.40 points or 0.25%, while Nifty IT rose 144 points or 0.39%.
The broader market mirrored this cautious sentiment, with Nifty 100 and Nifty Midcap 100 ending the session flat, while Nifty Smallcap 100 gained 45 points or 0.25%.