Sensex down 97 points, early gains erased (18th feb)

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex was down by over 97 points at mid-session today, with early gains erased by the emergence of profit-booking.

The Sensex, which rose by nearly 1,045 points in the past five trading sessions, fell by 97.72 points to 18,409.10 points at mid-session today. The gauge had climbed by 1 per cent at the onset of trade, but was unable to keep up the momentum.

In a similar fashion, the wide-based National Stock Exchange's Nifty was also trading 17.80 points lower at 5,528.65 at mid-session today.

Stockbrokers said profit-booking of the gains made by bluechips during the previous five sessions dragged the Sensex down.

In particular, realty, auto and oil and gas stocks were under selling pressure at prevailing higher levels.