India stocks ended lower; Nifty 50 down 0.68%

India stocks were lower after Wednesday’s close, with losses in Healthcare, IT, and Banking sectors leading them lower.

The Nifty 50 fell 0.68% at the close in NSE, while the BSE Sensex 30 index declined 0.77%.

The session’s outperformers on the Nifty 50 were Hero MotoCorp Ltd. They rose 3.54% or 122.45 points to trade at 3584.00 at the close. Adani Port and Special Economic Zone Ltd gained 3.02% or 19.20 points to end at 655.75. In late trade, the State Bank Of India was up 2.34% or 9.40 points to 411.75.

The session’s worst performers were Nestle India Ltd. They fell 2.76% or 476.05 points to trade at 16741.20 at the close. 

Bajaj Finserv Ltd declined 2.54% or 265.60 points to end at 10195.00. Asian Paints Ltd. was down 2.53% or 62.10 points to 2388.15.

On the BSE Sensex 30, the top performers were the State Bank Of India, which rose 2.78% to 413.50. Moreover, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd was up 2.02% to settle at 230.00. NTPC Ltd gained 1.12% to close at 99.15.

The worst performers were Nestle India Ltd. It was down 2.88% to 16726.05 in late trade. Furthermore, Bajaj Finserv Ltd lost 2.56% to settle at 10190.05. Asian Paints Ltd. was down 2.53% to 2387.90 at the close.

Falling Stocks Outnumbered Advancing Ones

On the India National Stock Exchange, falling stocks exceeded advancing ones by 822 to 810, and 71 ended unchanged. On the Bombay Stock Exchange, 1461 rose, and 1393 dropped, while 136 ended unchanged.

Hero MotoCorp Ltd shares rose to 52-week highs, gaining 3.54% or 122.45 to 3584.00. Adani Port shares and Special Economic Zone Ltd shares rose to all-time highs, 3.02% or 19.20 to 655.75.

State Bank Of India (NS:SBI) shares rose to all-time highs, up 2.34% or 9.40 to 411.75. State Bank Of India (BO:SBI) shares rose to all-time highs, gaining 2.78% or 11.20 to 413.50.

Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd shares rose to all-time highs, up 2.02% or 4.55 to 230.00.

The India VIX was down 1.26% to 21.5050.

EU Stocks Lower

On Wednesday, European stock markets retreated, consolidating after recent gains. Investors were growing cautious of rising bond yields while the earnings season continued.

The DAX in Germany traded 0.3% lower at 4 AM ET (0900 GMT). The CAC 40 in France fell 0.1%, and the UK’s FTSE index dropped 0.2%.

European markets have rallied strongly over the last week or so. That was amid growing hopes on the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. That, and the coming of spring, will result in the reasonably prompt ending of the severe restrictions put in place.