Sensex at two-week closing low; ITC, HUL fall

Mumbai: The BSE Sensex fell 1.42 per cent on Thursday to mark its lowest close in nearly two weeks as stocks of consumer goods companies such as ITC slumped after missing June-quarter sales forecasts, while Hindustan Unilever fell a day ahead of its results.

ITC fell 4.5 per cent, while Hindustan Unilever ended 3 per cent lower.

Ambuja Cements slumped 10.6 per cent, while ACC fell 2.9 per cent after their Switzerland-based owner Holcim announced a complex restructuring of its two Indian units that was seen by some analysts as detrimental to minority shareholders.

The BSE Sensex fell 1.42 per cent or 285.92 points, while the Nifty ended down 1.39 per cent or 83 points.