Sensex sinks 540 pts as Amazon-RIL clash spooks investors

A sharp fall in the rupee and a negative trend in global markets further unnerved investors, traders said.

Mumbai: Equity indices spiralled lower on Monday following heavy losses in Reliance Industries after Amazon won an interim arbitration award to stall the Mukesh Ambani-led firm’s acquisition of Future Group’s retail assets.

A sharp fall in the rupee and a negative trend in global markets further unnerved investors, traders said.

---

After tanking 737 points during the day, the 30-share BSE index recovered some lost ground to end 540 points or 1.33 per cent lower at 40,145.50.

The broader NSE Nifty tumbled 162.60 points or 1.36 per cent to 11,767.75.

Bajaj Auto was the top laggard in the Sensex pack, tumbling 6.10 per cent, followed by M&M, Reliance Industries (RIL), Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, SBI, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank.

Index heavyweight RIL accounted for most of the losses, sinking 3.97 per cent, after Amazon.com Inc won an interim arbitration award against its partner Future Group for selling its retail business to Reliance Industries for Rs 24,713 crore.

Amazon, which acquired an indirect minority stake in the retail and fashion group last year, alleged that Future’s sale of its retail, wholesale, logistics and warehousing businesses to Reliance breached its pre-existing contract, which included a right of the first offer and a non-compete clause.

On Sunday, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre restrained Future Retail and its founders from going ahead with the sale until a final decision is given.

Nestle India, Kotak Bank, IndusInd Bank, PowerGrid and HUL were among the gainers, advancing up to 2.48 per cent.

Kotak Mahindra Bank on Monday reported 26.7 per cent jump in its standalone net profit to Rs 2,184.48 crore for the second quarter ended September 30.

“Indian markets are taking a correction from the recent rally which has factored a lot about a uptrend in earnings growth due to positive Q2 results. Indian indices are expected to remain weak in the near-term and will be driven by the trend of ongoing Q2 result and developments in the US. A big correction is unlikely with 11,500 as a strong support for Nifty50,” said Vinod Nair,

Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services.