Hit hard by higher-than-expected hike in RBI rates, the BSE Sensex tumbled 353 points to 18,518 - biggest fall in five weeks - as investors sold across the board, especially realty, auto and banking segments that are impacted the most by the high interest regime.
In its first quarter review of the monetary policy for 2011-12, RBI hiked lending (repo) and borrowing (reverse repo) rates by 50 basis points, as against widely expected 25 bps.
The RBI move signalled continuation of the high interest rate regime to combat inflation by making loans costlier for business as well as consumers. It will hit corporate margins and curb demand, analysts said.
The Reserve Bank also revised its fiscal-end inflation projection to 7 per cent from 6 per cent earlier, making investors jittery, they added. In June it was 9.44 per cent.
The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share barometer initially touched a high of 18,944.60 and traded in a narrow range. As RBI hiked the rates, it started falling and settled at 18,518.22, down 353.07 points or 1.87 per cent. In last two sessions, it had gained over 435 points or 2.36 per cent.
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