Macro data fail to cheer indices

Caution with a negative bias could prevail for some time, say experts

- KISHOR KADAM

THE BENCHMARK INDICES ended lower on Thursday despite strong macroeconomic numbers. The Sensex fell 200.85 points, or 0.27%, to close at 73,828.91, while the Nifty declined 73.30 points, or 0.33%, to end below 22,400 at 22,397.20.

Retail inflation eased to a seven-month low of 3.61% in February while the IIP (Index of Industrial Production) growth picked up in January, rising 5.0%, compared with 3.5% in December 2024, according to data released on Wednesday.

"The moderating inflation and uptick in IIP numbers failed to cheer investors, as markets ended weak due to late selling pressure. Mixed European and Asian cues, coupled with FII selling, dominated the sentiment," said Prashanth Tapse, senior VP (research), Mehta Equities.