The benchmark indices continued to remain under selling pressure for the third consecutive day. The Sensex ended at 13,736 down 324 points after trading between 14,089 and 13,704. The Nifty shed 59 points or 1.39% to settle at 4,211 after trading in the range of 4318-4199. Among the broader indices - the BSE smallcap index gained over 2.5 % while the midcap index remained unchanged. Capital goods, banking and auto stocks fell today while oil & gas counters advanced today. The market breadth was quite strong and the volumes were lower compared to previous sessions.

Movers & Shakers

The BSE capital goods index fell 5.4 % and L&T, ABB and Bharat Bijlee were some of the biggest losers in this pack down 5-9%.

The BSE bankex shed 2.9 %. ICICI Bank tumbled 5.15% and SBI was down 3.7%. HDFC slipped 4.86%.

The BSE auto index slipped 2 %. Maruti Suzuki tanked 7%. Ashok Leyland, M&M, Hero Honda, Bharat Forge and Tata Motors fell 2-4%.

Oil PSU stocks, however, saw some good buying today. The stocks gained on the buzz that the government may decontrol fuel prices soon. The BSE oil & gas index advanced 0.8 %. HPCL, IOC and BPCL rose over 10 % each. ONGC also advanced 8.4 % to Rs 1,074.

In the Sensex L&T was the top loser. The stock plunged 8.6 % to Rs 1,242. Maruti Suzuki, ICICI Bank, HDFC and Hindalco were the other main losers down over 5 % each.

On the other hand, ONGC, RCom and Ranbaxy were the prominent gainers in this pack up 3-8%.