Indian shares closed lower on Monday, dragged by losses across most sectors, as investors awaited cues after lacklustre growth in December quarter corporate earnings.
The benchmark BSE index closed down 0.87 percent at 35,498.44, its lowest closing level since Dec. 24.
The broader NSE index ended 0.78 percent lower at 10,640.95, its lowest close since Dec. 11.
Shares of Yes Bank Ltd dropped 2.5 percent after it was pulled up by the central bank for breaching confidentiality and violating regulatory guidelines.
Nearly all Indian companies have reported their earnings for the December quarter, but the results have been far from encouraging. This was the final quarter before India heads into a national election, due to be held by May.
"There's a lack of buyers in the marker, lack of triggers... Earnings multiples could have been better to make us an attractive investment target," said Jayant Manglik, president, Religare Broking.
Sentiment was dragged by market heavyweights, with Tata Consultancy Services Ltd losing as much as 2.3 percent and Reliance Industries Ltd declining nearly 2 percent.
The Nifty FMCG index gave up 1.3 percent, with Hindustan Unilever Ltd falling 2 percent.
Yes Bank Ltd's stock witnessed selling pressure after it was pulled up by the central bank for disclosing information as part of the Risk Assessment Report (RAR) for breaching confidentiality and violating regulatory guidelines. Shares fell as much as 8.2 percent, but later pared losses.
Shares of Dewan Housing Finance Corp Ltd rose after Economic Times reported that Baring Pvt Equity, Bain Capital and Hero Fincorp were in talks to buy a stake in the debt-laden housing finance company.