Sensex extends losses,down 67 points

Sensex had lost 238.11 pts in previous session,fell further by 67.19 pts to 17.027.32

The BSE benchmark index Sensex extended losses for the second straight day by losing over 67 points in early trade today on sustained selling by funds,triggered by a weak trend on Asian bourses.

The 30-share index,which had lost 238.11 points in the previous session,fell further by 67.19 points,or 0.39 per cent,to 17.027.32,as Refinery,Metal,Auto and IT sector stocks led the fall.

The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty declined by 18.25 points,or 0.35 per cent,to 5189.20.

Brokers said sustained selling by funds in tandem with a weak trend on other Asian bourses,following renewed concerns about the euro zone8217;s sovereign debt crisis,mainly influenced the trading sentiment here.

In the Asian region,the Hong Kong8217;s Hang Seng index fell by 0.81 per cent,while Japan8217;s Nikkei index was down by 1.45 per cent in early trade today. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 1.05 per cent lower in the previous session.

Pre open: Indian stocks to watch

MUMBAI

GLOBAL STOCK MARKETS ROUNDUP

Asian shares eased on Monday as a surge in Spanish government bond yields renewed concerns about the euro zone8217;s sovereign debt crisis and undermined investor confidence in riskier assets.

US stocks closed their worst two-week slide since November with a selloff on Friday on disappointing China growth data and concerns that Europe8217;s debt crisis was flaring up again.

KEY EVENTS TO WATCH

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Wholesale price inflation probably slowed down marginally to 6.70 per cent in March from 6.95 per cent in the previous month on a moderation in prices for non-food items.0630 GMT

The Reserve Bank of India will release its report on macro economic and monetary developments in the 2011-12 fiscal year. 1130 GMT

INDIAN STOCKS TO WATCH

Indian drugmaker Piramal Healthcare has agreed to buy a research and development portfolio from Bayer AG ,the company said,in a deal that gives Piramal rights to florbetaben,a possible Alzheimer treatment.

Siemens India may partner with energy-led conglomerate Reliance Industries Ltd for future security solution projects on a case-by-case basis,a senior official said.

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India8217;s Tata Steel plans to invest up to 800 million pounds 1.3 billion in its facilities in Wales over the next five years,the First Minister of Wales,Carwyn Jones,said in a statement,after returning from a visit to India.

Power Construction Corporation of China has signed a 2.4 billion contract to build the second phase of a massive coal-fired power complex in southern India to help meet soaring local demand for electricity,the firm said on Friday.

OTHER FACTORS TO WATCH

Indian rupee seen down on euro zone worries

Indian bonds yields seen down on rate cut hopes

Euro falls broadly on euro zone debt jitters

Oil slips as China growth lags forecast

Foreign institutional investor flows

For closing rates of Indian ADRs