1500526329_wkpRyY_sensex-l-pti4.jpg 
The 30-share Sensex closed 0.33 per cent down at 62,626.36, while its broader peer, the Nifty50 lost 0.31 per cent to 18,642.75
Photo Credit :
Indian equities ended lower on Tuesday as investors took stock of strong US economy data which suggested that the Federal Reserve may continue with its aggressive rate hikes.
Data on Monday showed that services activity picked up in US in November.
The 30-share Sensex closed 0.33 per cent down at 62,626.36, while its broader peer, the Nifty50 lost 0.31 per cent to 18,642.75.
The weak sentiment was also triggered a day ahead of Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) MPC meet where it is widely expected to raise interest rates by 35 basis points.
Investors will keep an eye out on RBI’s growth outlook as inflation remains above its tolerance band.
On the Sensex, Hindustan Unilever was the star of the day, gaining 1.31 per cent. Other top gainers included UltraTech Cement, Power Grid Corporation, Nestle India, and Axis Bank.
Tata Steel, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Infosys, State Bank of India, and Bharti Airtel were the top losers on the 30-share pack.
Sectorally, the Nifty IT index fell 1.45 per cent and metal and pharma indices were down 0.5 per cent each. The PSU bank index gained 1.26 per cent, while FMCG and energy indices were up 0.3 per cent each.