Stocks kept a low profile for the fourth day as the Sensex fell over 71 points to a two-week low following sustained foreign outflows on caution ahead of a likely US rate hike in June and weakness across global markets due to subdued commodity prices.
Profit-booking towards the close of the session added to the losses. Sentiment took a hit after investors started cutting down bets in view of the upcoming expiry of derivative contracts for the May series on Thursday.
Caution was writ large after FOMC minutes hinted at the US Fed tightening the policy as early as June, which weighed on mood. The quantum and spatial distribution of the monsoon is also being closely tracked.