The BSE benchmark Sensex today fell 70 points to 18,745 on profit selling and a sharp dip in the heavyweights like RIL and BHEL amid a mixed trend in global stock markets.

The most-heaviest on the Sensex, with 11 per cent weight, Reliance Industries tumbled Rs 22 or 2.53 per cent to Rs 846.15. BHEL, the largest power equipment maker dropped Rs 91.90 (4.5 per cent) to Rs 1,953.80, following reports that the government might approve its 5 per cent stake sale.

Besides, DLF Ltd, the largest property developer fell by Rs 2.80 to Rs 230.80 snapping its 3-day 12 per cent surge.

The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-stock index, Sensex, which had climbed 7.5 per cent in the last two weeks till yesterday, fell by 69.92 points to 18,744.56.

Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 18.40 points to 5,632.10, after touching a high of 5,659.85.

Brokers said investors booked profits as prices had reached higher levels, ahead of the first quarter earnings.

They said rising borrowing costs this year might crimp demand and hurt corporate earnings.

The oil and gas sector index suffered the most by losing 1.60 per cent to 8,955, followed by FMCG, 1.29 pc to 3,987.73.

Realty sector lost 1.29 per cent to 2,129.10 and Power fell by 1.18 per cent to 2,606.16.

The capital goods index fell by 1.13 per cent to 13,687.03 as BHEL, BEL, Siemens, ABB Ltd and Gammon India declined on heavy selling.

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