Indian stock markets continue to represent a weak outlook ahead of F&O expiry.

Huge selling action was witnessed across all sectors except BSE Bankex and PSU.

The 30-share-index BSE Sensex, today (Dec 24), belled the day negatively at 9,626.07, down 60.68 points, as against a drop of 2.43% on the previous working day.

BSE Midcap and Smallcap were also trading in negative terrain after losing 0.83% and 0.91% respectively.

Indian equities opened weak today, (Dec 23), following disappointing worldwide shores prior to December F&O expiry.

Auto, consumer goods and metal stocks traded flat.

BSE Midcap and Smallcap index fell 0.35% and 0.20% respectively.

Asian stocks also dropped down as a smaller-than-forecast interest rate cut in China and an economic growth report in New Zealand fanned worries that a global recession is becoming deeper.

New York  - US stocks fell Monday amid concerns of a gloomy outlook for fourth-quarter corporate earnings, the future of the car industry and whether government efforts to revive the economy would succeed.

Monsanto Co lost 7.5 per cent after Goldman Sachs Group Inc said the recession would impact profits at the world's largest producer of seeds. Walgreen Co, the second-biggest US drugstore chain, slid 4.2 per cent after posting the slowest sales growth in 18 years. Walgreens said its first-quarter net income fell 11 per cent and it would limit store openings next year.

The 30 share index, Sensex gained 409.84 points in the week ended Dec 19, 2008, while the broad based NSE Nifty surged 156.15 points during the same period.

On Monday, the benchmark index Sensex started the week strongly following worldwide signals and saw volatility all through the day. Realty and metal sectors were the major performers.

The Sensex ended the week on a flat note amid volatility as investors booked profit at higher levels.

Realty sector, which 10.57%, was the major gainer on Friday on expectations of further cut in interest rates and a strong fiscal stimulus from the government.

Auto (1.79%) and consumer durable (1.59%) stocks also gained while oil & gas stocks (-0.63%)went down.

BSE Midcap and Smallcap index gained 1.85% and 0.86% respectively.

New York  - The US automotive industry led Wall Street's broad-based Standard and Poor's 500 Index higher Friday, after President George W Bush announced emergency loans to keep struggling carmakers afloat through the winter.

The government move calmed fears that General Motors and Chrysler could both collapse within days without an interim bail-out.