M A I N   N E W S

Sensex 727 down on last fiscal
Tribune News Service & PTI

Mumbai, March 31
The markets bid goodbye to Financial Year 2007-08 on a bearish note pummelling the Sensex more than 700 points. Taking a cue from the international markets, Indian punters sold most of the day bringing the Sensex down more than 800 points before settling marginally higher. The benchmark index fell 4.4 per cent or 727 points to close at 15,644 levels while in the broader markets, Nifty was down 4.2 per cent or 207 points to close at 4,734 levels.

Banking, IT, realty and metal stocks fell by more than 4.3 per cent each due to fears of rising interest rates on the back of inflation concerns. Housing Development Finance Corporation at Rs 2,383 was the biggest loser, closing lower by 8.8 per cent or Rs 230. Other major losers included ICICI Bank, DLF, TCS and ONGC.