Dalal Street bid farewell to Samvat 2060 on a subdued note on Thursday. The benchmark 30-share BSE Sensex failed to touch the 6,000 level before the end of the Samvat and closed 19.44 points lower at 5,954.31 following profit booking in select heavyweights and technology stocks.However, on a yearly-basis from the onset of Samvat 2060 on October 25, 2003 the Sensex has gained 24 per cent from 4802.28 points.The broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty ended 5.55 points lower to settle the day at 1,870.55.After touching a high of 5,995.33 in early trades, Sensex lost ground on selling pressure to touch an intra-day low of 5,943.33, before ending with a loss of 19.44 points at 5,954.31.The impressive performance — 24 per cent gain in 2060— came on the back of an excellent corporate performance, strong economic growth, disinvestment of government stakes in PSU companies like ONGC, Gail, IPCL, IBP and Dredging Corporation and global recession followed by FIIs investments.Ambareesh Baliga, vice president, Karvy Stock Broking said: ‘‘The market was lacklustre on back of low volumes with most of the players out of the market on account of Diwali. Selling towards the fag end of the trades also pulled down the market’’.Baliga said trading remained lacklustre on Thursday as most of the investors awaited patiently for the market to end without the Sensex touching the much-awaited 6000-mark on Thursday, dealers said.‘‘The rationale is that the Samvat Year 2061 should start with a bang on the auspicious Moorat trading — ushering in the new year — on Friday. Most players expect the Sensex to touch the 6,000-mark in the special trading session on Friday.’’ The Sensex is now 45.69 points away from the 6,000-mark.For Samvat 2060 (between October 25, 2003 and November 10, 2004), the inflows from FIIs rose to Rs 38,990.50 crore, from Rs 21,002.20 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.Technology lost on profit-taking after the BSE IT Index touched a 52-week high on Wednesday.
