Sensex loses 82 points as RBI hikes key policy rates

A benchmark index of Indian equities markets declined 82.26 points Tuesday after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) hiked key policy interest rates by 0.25 percent to tame inflation.

Good buying was observed in auto and metal sectors, while selling pressure was seen in banking index (bankex) and IT sectors.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,721.17 points, was trading at 20,625.19 points in the pre-noon session, down 82.26 points or 0.40 percent from the previous day's close at 20,707.45 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 20,795.35 points and a low of 20,554.28 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE bankex plunged by 120.08 points and IT index slipped by 90.46 points, while auto index moved up by 99.25 points and metal index gained 59.73 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also declined by 25 points or 0.41 percent and was trading at 6,110.85 points.