Sensex down 65 pts; banks down

The wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty index shed 19.45 points,or 0.40 per cent,to 4,846.55 points.

Profit-booking in metal,capital goods,auto and banking stocks dragged the Sensex down,brokers said.

Fresh selling by funds on renewed worries over eurozone debt crisis after Standard and Poor8217;s cut ratings of nine European nations,including France and Austria8217;s triple-A status impacted the market sentiments,they said.

In the Asia region,Hong Kong8217;s Hang Seng Index fell by 1 per cent and Japan8217;s Nikkei Index by 1.53 per cent in early trade today.

STOCKS ON THE MOVE

Cable operators Den Networks and Hathway Cable and Datacom rose 9.46 percent and 11.3 percent respectively,after the Business Standard reported Reliance Industries has approached the companies to buy stakes as part of its strategy to reach consumer homes for its fourth-generation broadband services.

Gas distribution companies fell for a second straight session on a media report the government has asked the petroleum regulator to determine marketing margins for natural gas on the basis of costs.

Sate-run gas utility GAIL India Ltd,Petronet LNG Ltd and Indraprastha Gas Ltd were down by 1 to 5.6 percent.

MAIN TOP THREE BY VOLUME

Suzlon Energy on 9.5 million shares

Jaiprakash Associates on 9.57 million shares

Unitech on 3.57 million shares

FACTORS TO WATCH

Indian rupee report

Indian bond report

Euro shaky after mass ratings downgrade,outlook poor

Oil falls on euro zone worries,posts weekly loss

Shares fall as euro zone downgrades rekindle fears

Wall St slips on reports of euro-zone downgrades

For closing rates of Indian ADRs