Sensex down 21 points

MUMBAI, Jan 29 (PTI): Snapping the two-day rally, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex today closed down nearly 21 points but auto stocks gained on anticipation of hike in sales after cut in prices of petrol and diesel. The bellwether index surrendered its initial gains after a poor opening in European bourses. A moderate rise in inflation also weighed against buying support. The BSE barometer closed the day down by 21.19 points or 0.23 per cent at 9,236.28 The broad-based 50-issue Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also fell back by 25.55 points or 0.90 per cent. Realty shares which had a promising start, however, later suffered a setback on heavy offloading while capital goods shares also attracted profit-selling. Auto stocks, led by Maruti Suzuki which today posted a 54 per cent dip in profit for the third quarter, surged on anticipation of hike in sales after cut in prices of petrol and diesel. Maruti Suzuki gained 4.67 per cent.