Mumbai: Benchmark Sensex plunged 297 points on Thursday, led by losses in index heavyweights Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank amid expiry of December derivatives contracts.
After falling 328.37 points during the day, the 30-share BSE Sensex ended 297.50 points, or 0.72 per cent, lower at 41,163.76. It hit an intra-day low of 41,132.89.
Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty closed 88 points, or 0.72 per cent, down at 12,126.55.
Top gainers and losers
Bharti Airtel was the top loser in the Sensex pack, dropping 2.23 per cent, followed by Reliance Industries, L&T, Sun Pharma, HDFC Bank, Maruti, Titan and Kotak Bank.
On the other hand, ONGC, NTPC, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finance and M&M rose up to 1.63 per cent.
According to traders, the market turned volatile on the expiry of December futures and options (F&O) contracts.
Global market
Further, investor participation has also thinned on account of year-end holidays in domestic and global markets, they said.
Bourses in Shanghai, Tokyo, and Seoul ended on a positive note.
On the currency front, the rupee was flat against the US dollar at 71.27 (intra-day).
Brent futures, the global oil benchmark, advanced 0.33 per cent to USD 67.42 per barrel.
Gold
Gold in the national capital on Thursday jumped Rs 116 to Rs 39,630 per 10 gram riding high on strong international trends, according to HDFC Securities.
The precious metal had in the previous trade closed at Rs 39,514 per 10 gram.
Silver also witnessed demand as prices rose by Rs 454 to Rs 48,060 per kg compared to the previous close of Rs 47,606 per kg.
Spot gold for 24 Karat in Delhi gained Rs 116 on strong international peers and pick-up in wedding demand, HDFC Securities, Senior Analyst (Commodities), Tapan Patel said.
In the international market, gold rose to USD 1,504 per ounce and silver at USD 17.94 per ounce.
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