Sensex cracks below 24K again, rupee plunges past 68-mark

Zee Media Bureau

After a brief recovery, the BSE benchmark Sensex cracked below the 24,000-mark in mid-session trade Thursday.

The rupee also hit the 68-mark, depreciating by 10 paise to 68.05 on heavy bouts of demand for the American currency from banks and importers amid higher dollar overseas.

Also Watch:

The 30-share Sensex last quoted 110.01 points or 0.46 percent lower at 23,952.03 after moving in range of 24,351.83- 23,906.46. The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 30.50 points or 0.42 percent down at 7,278.80.

In Asia, Tokyo shares tumbled 2.43 percent today, extending declines from the previous day, as a stronger yen hurt exporters.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange lost 398.93 points to close at 16,017.26, reversing earlier gains. The broader Topix index of all first-section shares plunged 2.80 percent, or 37.48 points, to 1,301.49.

Overseas, the US dollar was higher against the major rivals in early Asian trade, breaking off from one-year low against the yen yesterday as crude oil prices bounced, while the euro awaited a policy decision from the European Central Bank for near-term cues.

Oil prices dipped today, erasing modest early gains as analysts said a persistent global surplus of crude would keep pressuring the market.