Sensex down 39 points amid weak trend in world markets

The BSE benchmark Sensex today fell over 39 points in early trade as selling by funds and retail investors amid a weak trend in global markets.

The 30-share barometer fell by 39.26 points, or 0.20 per cent, to 19,457.92. The index had lost nearly 111 points yesterday.

Stocks of realty, auto, banking and power sectors declined on increased selling.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 18.90 points, or 0.32 per cent, to 5,878.05.

Brokers said a weak trend in the Asian trade, following overnight losses in the US market, dampened the trading sentiment here.

Besides, lower-than-expected quarter earnings by some blue-chip companies also triggered selling, they said.

In the Asian region, Japan's Nikkei Index was down 0.88 per cent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index shed 0.55 per cent in early trade.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.07 per cent down in yesterday's trade.

Indian stocks to watch-Feb 15

(Reuters): Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange rose 0.17 percent up. The MSCI-Asia Pacific index, excluding Japan gained 0.06 percent.

Asian shares were range-bound on Friday with investors turning cautious as weak euro zone growth data presaged the G20 meeting in this session and on Saturday in Moscow.

The S&P 500 eked out a small gain for a third straight session on Thursday, helped by a flurry of merger activity, though investors see no catalysts to lift the market further with major averages near multi-year highs.

FACTORS TO WATCH

FX, bank lending data (1130GMT)

FINANCIAL/REGULATORY

Life insurance companies such as HDFC Life, Birla Sun Life and ICICI Prudential have shown interest in purchasing HSBC's stake in its JV with two public sector banks, two people with direct knowledge of the development said.

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