MUMBAI, July 25: Pivotals suffered further setback on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) mainly in the absence of speculative support due to the fresh political development. The sensex lost another 37 points. After a steady spell, share prices declined as the session progressed on selling pressure.

The BSE sensitive index opened at 4218.29 and touched the day's high of 4222.73 low of 4159.00 before closing at 4189.81 with a net loss of 36.76 points compared to the previous level of 4226.57. The BSE-100 index eased to 1823.10 from 1838.53, losing 15.43 points.

Brokers said the sentiment was affected mainly due to bull unloading following end-account considerations. Besides, the uncertain political situation at Bihar and also reports that Laloo Prasad Yadav has resigned as chief minister also affected the sentiment towards the end of the session.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) made limited purchases mainly in Bajaj Auto, Castrol, MTNL and others. However, as it was the last day of the current settlement cycle, domestic institutional investors and bull operators were busy to square up their position.

SBI remained the most active scrip with a turnover of Rs 200.93 crore of the total volume of business of Rs 892.08 crore. Other active scrips were Reliance (196.28 crore), Tata steel (Rs 93.74 crore), ITC (Rs 86.30 crore) and TELCO (Rs 56.52 crore). SBI dropped by Rs 4.75 to Rs 319.50, Reliance lost a rupee at Rs351, ITC by Rs 6.25 at Rs 504.50 and Telco Rs 11.50 at Rs 383.75 on selling pressure. Tata Steel remained steady at Rs 212.50 against the previous closing of Rs 212.

In the cash group, ICI rose by Rs 11.75 to Rs 229.25 and India Shaving by Rs 39.75 to Rs 621.75. Bayer lost substantially by Rs 53.50 to Rs 1999.75, Boots by Rs 21 to Rs 730.25, Infosys Tech by Rs Rs 51.50 to Rs 2022.50 and Wipro by Rs 26 to Rs 839.50.

On the NSE, equities declined following selling pressure and fresh political developments at the centre. The NSE-50 index closed at 1185.05 with a loss of 14.50 over the overnight close of 1199.95. The Midcap index closed at 1291.85, showing a decline of 17.20 points. The volume of business was lower at Rs 1709.23 crore.

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