Sensex falls 159 points, capital outflow adds to pressure

Profit-booking in recent gainers and a weak rupee took their toll. The BSE Telecom index was the biggest casualty, sinking 2.61 per cent, followed by metal and power indices. (Express photo by Ganesh Shirsekar/Files)

The BSE Sensex on Monday tumbled 159 points to end at 35,264.41, while the broader NSE Nifty finished below the crucial 10,700-mark as global trade tensions and unabated foreign capital outflows hit the sentiment. Asian markets went into a tailspin on weak Chinese factory data ahead of the expected imposition of US tariffs this week.

Profit-booking in recent gainers and a weak rupee took their toll. The BSE Telecom index was the biggest casualty, sinking 2.61 per cent, followed by metal and power indices. The 50-stock NSE barometer Nifty ended at 10,657.30, showing a loss of 57 points, or 0.53 per cent.

“Key events this week will be governments announcement on minimum support price (MSP) and fear of escalation in trade war between US and China,” said Vinod Nair, head of research, Geojit Financial Services.