India Indices Worst Performers in Asia

BENCHMARK INDICES EXTENDED their losses for the second consecutive session on Friday, emerging as the worst performers among Asian equity markets, amid heightened geopolitical tensions and profit-booking.

- KISHOR KADAM

After a firm start, the Sensex briefly crossed the 80,000 mark but soon came under intense selling pressure, slumping up to 1,200 points (1.5%) to hit an intraday low of 78,605.81. However, a partial recovery in the second half helped pare losses, and the index finally settled at 79,212.53, down 588.90 points or 0.74%. The Nifty also dropped nearly 400 points (1.64%) during the session to touch a low of 23,847.85, but ended above the 24,000 mark at 24,039.35, down 207.35 points or 0.86%.