Sensex recovers 1,500 pts; ends down 300pts

Sensex ends down at 18,716

The proposed clampdown on participatory notes (PNs) by Sebi had its desired impact on the markets - the Sensex opened with a huge negative gap of 5.3% (1,014 points) at 18,038.

The index soon plunged to a low of 17,308 - down 9.2% (1,744 points) - following which trading was suspended for one hour - only the 3rd instance in the last three years.

The first trading halt happened on May 17, 2004 when the index crashed 16.6% (a swing of 842 points) in intra-day deals following the change in government. The second instance was on May 22, 2004 when the Sensex hit the lower circuit, and the intra-day swing was 1,316 points on account of a meltdown in global metal stocks.

The statement by Finance Minister P Chidambaram that there is no proposal to ban PNs, and overseas investors are welcome to invest in India via the FII route helped the index recover after the 1-hour trading halt.

Sebi, in a clarification, reiterated that there is no proposal to ban PNs, and FIIs can write/renew PNs with a timelimit of 18 months, which also boosted sentiment.

The Sensex recovered sharply from the day's low (17,308 points) and touched an intra-day high of 18,841 points - up 1,533 points (8.9%) from the day's low.

The Sensex finally ended with a loss of 336 points (1.8%) at 18,716.
The Nifty closed at 5,559, down 109 points.

The market breadth was fairly negative - out of 2,724 stocks traded, 1,755 declined, 923 advanced and 46 were unchanged today.


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