Markets nosedive, rupee slides below 65 after fresh nuclear threat
The Sensex fell 447.60 points to close at 31,922.44 while the Nifty finished 157.50 points lower at 9,964.40.
The Bombay Stock Exchange Sensex fell 447.60 points to close at 31,922.44, the Nifty finished 157.50 points lower at 9,964.40 and the rupee hit its weakest point since early April on Friday.
India’s benchmark indices ended lower for a fourth straight session on Friday, weighed down by banking stocks, as the government’s plan for Rs 50,000-crore stimulus spending raised concerns over fiscal deficit, The Hindu reported.
Global investor sentiment was subdued and Asian stocks fell on Friday after North Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Ri Yong Ho said Pyongyang could test a hydrogen bomb in the Pacific Ocean. Earlier, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un warned of “the highest level of hard-line countermeasure in history” amid escalating tensions with the United States.
Wipro, Tata Motors, and HCL Tech were the top gainers, while Tata Steel, L&T and Hindalco lost the most. NDTV traded up 5% on both exchanges after The Indian Express reported that SpiceJet’s Ajay Singh was set to take over the media house by buying a controlling stake of 40% in the company.
The rupee breached the 65 a dollar level, hitting its weakest point since April when it was at 65.15 a dollar.