After its spectacular performance on Friday, the stock markets returned to being volatile and ended the day in red on Monday.
The Sensex closed at 18,674 down 80 points or 0.42 per cent while the Nifty closed at 5,670, down 21 points or 0.38 per cent.
Realty, power and capital good stocks remained in the investor limelight while FMCG and oil and gas sectors were hit and fell by over one percent.
Head Research, Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services, Mr. Alex Mathews said: "The markets opened with a flat note due to weak Asian markets and profit booking and remained subdued waiting for more reforms. FMGC, oil & gas and the heavy weight stocks made the markets remain under pressure whereas the upside in the auto, metals and power stocks capped more downside. The market may remain sideways in coming days and likely to consolidate at around 5,600 level."
"Realty stocks were trading higher on the hopes that the retail real estate will get a boost from the FDI and metal stocks rose on the renewed buying," he added.
The volatility index stood at 18.83 down around 0.52 per cent.
BHEL, Jindal Steel, Maruti, M&M and Reliance Infra were the top Nifty gainers while HDFC, ONGC, SAIL, ITC and HUL were the losers on the Nifty.