Fall in global markets and profit booking after gain in previous two sessions weighed on the Indian equity benchmarks. Major Asian markets like Shanghai, Hang Seng and Nikkei were down 1.5-2%. Straits Times, Kospi and Taiwan fell 0.5-1%. US equity markets had fallen more than 2% yesterday after disappointing manufacturing data and Moody's downgraded Greece ratings by three notches.


HUL was the leading stock on Nifty, with rising over 3%. ITC, NTPC, SAIL, Sun Pharma, Bajaj Auto and Cipla were other leading counters, with gaining 1-2%. Heavyweights SBI, ONGC, Reliance Industries and Bharti Airtel were marginally in the green.