The BSE benchmark Sensex fell by over 77 points in early trade today after three sessions of gains on emergence of profit-booking by funds and retailers amid a mixed trend in Asian markets. The 30-share barometer declined by 77.03 points,or 0.38 per cent,to 20,083.79 with banking,consumer durables and capital goods stocks leading the fall. The index had gained nearly 487 points in the last three sessions. STOCK MARKETS LINKS * BSE Sensex * NSE Nifty * Top Gainers/Top Losers * Top Value * Top Quantity * Best Performing Mutual Funds Similarly,the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 16.90 points,or 0.28 per cent,to 6,094.35. Brokers said fresh selling by funds and retail investors,mostly of a profit-booking nature,and a mixed trend on Asian bourses influenced the trading sentiment. Besides,a cautious approach by participants ahead of tomorrow's monthly expiry in the derivatives segment and weakening rupee which fell to nearly 9-month low also impacted the trading sentiments,they said. In the Asian region,Hong Kong's Hang Seng index eased by 0.67 per cent,while Japan's Nikkei up 0.520 per cent in the opening trade today. The US Dow Jones had ended 0.69 per cent higher in yesterday's trade. Indian stocks to watch-May 29 (Reuters): GLOBAL MARKETS ROUNDUP Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange are 0.16 percent down and the MSCI-Asia Pacific index excluding Japan is 0.3 percent lower. Asian shares were steady and the dollar remained firm on Wednesday as U.S. stocks rallied to record highs overnight on signs of resilience in the U.S. economy and expectations of continued monetary policy support. U.S. stocks rose on Tuesday,with the Dow closing at yet another record high,in the wake of Wall Street's first three-day losing streak of the year,after central banks reassured investors that they will keep policies designed to foster global growth. FACTORS TO WATCH March-quarter earnings from Tata Motors Ltd,Cipla Ltd and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd . India's Sun Pharma Q4 net up 23 pct,beats estimate. India's HPCL Jan-March net up 65.82 pct. 3G roaming: DoT turns on firms that offered spectrum,may revoke licences. Walmart to buy 49 pct in holding company of Bharti Retail for Rs 4.56 bn. Future Retail seeks FIPB approval to raise FII stake to 49 pct from 24 pct. Goods and services tax to be in place by 2014: Prime Minister. Largest African telco MTN is said to revive Indian efforts with acquisition plan. United Spirits may sell Scottish distiller Invergordon. India's GAIL plans to get 34 cargoes in 2013/14 through spot,mid-term deals. India's Hindalco Jan-March net down 24.69 pct. India tariff case stalls Tata Power's investment plans. India cbank chief says not to impose ban on gold coin sales by banks. India's Radico Khaitan Jan-March net up more than 3 fold. India's Rural Electrification Corp Jan-March net up 26.15 pct. India's Godrej Industries Jan-March net profit more than doubles. India's Sun Pharma sees 18-20 pct sales growth in FY 2013 India's HPCL seeks foreign partners for revived refinery project. Government starts NHPC stake sale process; to fetch Rs 24 bln. Universal Commodity Exchange may sell 5 pct stake to bullion trader. Govt moots steps to improve regional air connectivity,to allow smaller aircraft. Tata Comm eyes Rs 10 bln from 3 non-core assets.
