Domestic Markets Snapped the winning run; Sensex declines 144 points & Nifty 50 settles at 13,478

Key domestic indices on Thursday, December 10, 2020, snapped their record-setting rally logging modest losses. Amid negative Asian cues, the BSE Sensex declined 143.62 points or 0.31 per cent to settle at 45,959.88. The NSE Nifty 50 index also fell 50.80 points or 0.38 per cent to settle at 13,478.30. Similarly, Nifty Bank lost 199.05 points, or 0.65 per cent, and settled at 30,510.35.

The broader market at BSE also ended down underperforming the Sensex as the BSE Mid-Cap index slipped 0.57 per cent while the BSE Small-Cap index closed 0.65 per cent down.

The market breadth was negative. On the BSE, 1246 shares rose and 1661 shares fell. On the Nifty 50 block, 20 stocks advanced and 30 declined. The top five gainers on Nifty 50 were Nestle India (up 4.16 per cent), ITC (up 3.77 per cent), Britannia (up 3.14 per cent), Hindustan Unilever (up 2.39 per cent) and Adani Ports (up 1.70 per cent). The top five losers were UPL (down 11.29 per cent), UltraTech Cement (down 3.32 per cent), Shree Cement (down 2.79 per cent), Tata Motors (down 2.60 per cent) and Mahindra and Mahindra (down 2.42 per cent).

COVID-19 Update

Total COVID-19 confirmed cases worldwide were at 6,89,00,483 with 15,69,454 deaths. India reported 3,72,293 active cases of COVID-19 infection and 1,41,772 deaths while 92,53,306 patients have been discharged.

The expert committee of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation on Wednesday sought additional safety and efficacy data from the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech for their COVID-19 vaccine, after deliberating upon their applications seeking authorisation for the shots.

Post-Brexit trade agreement

UK and European lawmakers vowed to decide on a potential post-Brexit trade agreement by the weekend, following an in-person meeting between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday evening. Talks remain at an impasse over several key issues, including fishing rights and competition rules. Downing Street said very large gaps remain, while Von der Leyen described the two sides as "far apart." EU leaders are gathering in Brussels on Thursday for a two-day EU Council meeting. The European Central Bank will publish its latest monetary policy decision and macroeconomic projections on Thursday.