Mumbai : A sense of uncertainty — both on the global and domestic front — held back investors as the Sensex went down for the third straight session, mirroring a cautious approach globally ahead of release of a key US jobs report.
The NSE Nifty fell a tad short of the 8,700 mark. For the week, the Sensex and Nifty rose 195.18 points, or 0.70 per cent, and 86.45 points, or 1 per cent, respectively.Oil prices spurted above $ 50 a barrel for the first time since June, a sign inflationary pressure is beginning to bubble, reports PTI.
The focus next shifts to the earnings season which is set to start next week, with IT major Infosys slated to announce September quarterly results on October 14.
The big question that continued to keep investors anxious was whether Fed would pull the trigger and lower rates by this year end, considering stronger US economic data.
There was more caution in store as IIP for August and CPI inflation numbers for September are expected next week, which is punctuated by trading holidays.
Brokers said inflows to emerging markets would dry up if the US bumps up borrowing costs, which would push down Indian equities.
The 30-share gauge began on a higher note following selective buying in blue-chips amid sustained foreign fund inflows. But it closed at 28,061.14, a fall of 45.07 points or 0.16 per cent. The gauge had lost 228.34 points in the previous two sessions.
At the close, the NSE Nifty lost 11.95 points, or 0.14 per cent, at 8,697.60.
