Sensex, Nifty open in red after North Korea's missile launch

The Dalal Street kicked off Friday's trading session on negative note as global peers dipped after North Korea fired another missile over Japan into the Pacific Ocean. 

At 0939 hours, Sensex was trading at 32,172.49 down 69.44 points or 0.22%, while Nifty 50 slumped by 14.35 points or 0.14% trading at 10,072.25. 

In pre-market opening, the 31-scrip index was trading at 32,200-mark and that of the 51- scrip index below 10,100-level. 

Analysts at Motilal Oswal said, "Domestic markets are expected to open lower on the back of Asian Markets negative performance. If Nifty sustains below 10050 then only a profit booking could be seen towards10000-9980 zones while on the upside a decisive move above10138 could commence the next leg of rally towards 10200 levels."

ONGC took the lead in gainers category on BSE - trading at Rs 162.25 per piece above 1.79%. It was followed by Coal India at Rs 258.25 per piece up 1.29%, Adani Ports at Rs 407.20 per piece (0.97%), Infosys at Rs 897.50 per piece (0.58%) and Maruti Suzuki at Rs 8102.45 per piece (0.39%).

Among losers were - Asian Paints (Rs 1235.55 per piece), Kotak Mahindra Bank (Rs 999.80 per piece), Axis Bank (Rs 515.80 per piece), Sun Pharma (Rs 520.50 per piece) and Cipla (Rs 561.80 per piece) trading negative in the range of 0.50% - 1%. 

Banking stocks were among top losers after  Fitch Ratings warned about the mounting non-performing assets (NPA) problem and the poor capital position - while placing the sector on a negative outlook. 

Also the United Forum of Bank Unions will be holding a protest march on Friday to focus the concerns of the bank unions on the current issues relating to banks. 

S&P BSE Bankex was trading at 28014.22 below 61.96 points or 0.22%. Most of the stocks were trading negative or flat on this index. 

Meantime, Indian Rupee was trading at 64.118 below 0.048 paisa or 0.07% against US benchmark dollar.

Due to North Korea's missile launch on Japan, U.S. stock futures fell 0.2% while MSCI`s Asia-Pacific share index excluding Japan shed 0.4% - though it was still up 0.4% on the week.

Motilal said, "Asia is mixed to negative in early trades on back of missile test conducted by North Korea. Escalation of geopolitical tensions continues to be a risk."