The 100-plus-point downward spiral that the NSE's Nifty took today sent many of the blue-chips to their 52-week lows.

Some of the losers were PSU stocks — which are gearing up for their FPOs — and market heavyweights such as Reliance, SBI and Tata Motors, though these stocks pulled back before market closed.

Even in the market mayhem witnessed today, three stocks managed to stay in the green, of which two were FMCGs, confirming the sector's status as a defensive pick in a falling market.

The market was jolted in the morning by rumours of review of the India-Mauritius tax treaty; and the Nifty closed at 5257.90, shedding 108.50 points (2.02 per cent). There was widespread selling in the market though it was difficult to point out immediately who were dumping stocks — FIIs, DIIs or ordinary investors. The avalanche of selling affected stocks across all sectors.

A perusal of the Sparklines of S&P CNX Nifty, consisting of 50 stocks, showed that while some had hit their 52-week lows during the day, a few barely stayed overboard — in that the percentage differentiating 52-week-low price and today's trading price was so less that any further selling spree may push these stocks into the red tomorrow.

But some FMCG stocks — HUL and ITC — and engineering MNC Siemens were trading close to their year's high.

HUL, which opened at Rs 320, touched a high of Rs 324.70, before closing at Rs 321.30, only slightly less than its 52-week high of Rs 329.90. ITC, which opened high at Rs 192.90, closed weak at Rs 186.70, but still within the striking range of its yearly high Rs 195.80. Siemens touched a high of Rs 871.25 before closing weaker at Rs 847.50 (yearly high Rs 904.70).

But many PSU stocks that are index heavyweights hit their 52-week lows during today's trading or barely escaped the slide. BHEL, which opened strongly at Rs 1,945, hit a low of Rs 1891.25 before recovering to Rs 1917, a loss of Rs 20.20. The stock missed by a whisker its year's low of Rs 1,890.

SAIL, which is an FPO candidate, hit its year's low of Rs 132.10 during today's trading, though it closed slightly higher at Rs 134. ONGC, which is another FPO contender, hit its 52-week low of Rs 255.45, though it managed to close slightly higher at Rs 257.40.

Reliance, which has a near 11 per cent weightage on the BSE Sensex, slumped from its opening price of Rs 875 to a low of Rs 828.10, its 52-week low, though it managed to marginally recover to Rs 833.15 at the close. Tata Motors, which has been hammered for the past few trading sessions, spiralled down from Rs 981.50 to its 52-week low of Rs 925.55, though it also managed to close higher at Rs 936.

Grasim was another big-ticket stock to face the heat today when it touched its 52-week low of Rs 1,982.20. Wipro touched its 52-week low of Rs 381.45 in today's trading, though it recovered to Rs 405.50 at the close. Hindalco hit its yearly low of 161.70 and IDFC touched Rs 115.15, its 52-week low, before recovering. Sterlite's low of Rs 150 today was its 52-week low.

State Bank of India, which has been pounded by investors since it came out with annual numbers, dipped to its 52-week low of Rs 2,120.05 during today's trading, before bouncing back strongly to close at Rs 2,179. Infosys also slipped into its 52-week low of Rs 2,652.50 before pulling back at the close. Several stocks such as Maruti, GAIL, NTPC, Tata Steel and Sesa Goa barely stayed above their yearly lows.

But there were many strong finishers even in today's market: Hero Honda, PNB, BPCL, ICICI Bank, Power Grid, Kotak Mahindra Bank, HDFC Bank, HDFC, HCL Tech, Bajaj Auto, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Power.

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