Sensex ends 36 pts down in volatile trade

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex on Tuesday ended over 36 points down in volatile trading on emergence of selling by funds in heavy-weight stocks.

The 30-share Sensex, which remained in positive zone in early trade with a gain of over 58 points, fell back to close 36.53 points down at 13,929.33 on profit-taking in index-related stocks. It touched the day's high of 14,023.86 and a low of 13,885.46 points.

In similar fashion, the second wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty lost 14 points at 4,120.30 after moving between 4,150.45 and 4,102.45 points.

Stock brokers said selling in IT, oil and gas, consumer goods, auto and consumer durables sector stocks mainly pulled the Sensex down.

They said, however, that banking sector stocks led by State Bank of India and Punjab National bank continued their upward march for yet another session after country's largest lender SBI, posted excellent fourth quarter earnings.

The BSE bankex climbed 116.77 points, or 1.5 per cent at 7,074.23 points.