India's Nifty 50, Sensex reverse gains on profit-taking near record highs

BENGALURU, June 19 (Reuters) - Indias Nifty 50 and Sensex stock indexes reversed early gains on Monday after inching closer to fresh record highs amid profit-taking at higher valuations, while broader peers extended their rally to log record levels.

The blue-chip Nifty (.NSEI) index was down 0.27% at 18,775.30 as of 12:57 p.m. IST, while the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex (.BSESN) fell 0.24% to 63,235.07.

Both the indexes had risen 0.30% earlier in the session, with the Nifty 50 coming within 10 points of the previous record high of 18,887.60.

Eight of the 13 major sectoral indexes declined with high weightage financials (.NIFTYFIN) losing 0.3%.

Broader peers outperformed their benchmarks, with midcaps (.NIFMDCP100) rising over 0.6% to a fresh record high and smallcaps (.NIFSMCP100) hitting an over one-year high.

“There is nervousness in domestic equities near record high levels due to concerns over high valuations and monsoons,” said G Chokkalingam, founder and head of research at Equinomics Research Pvt.

“While positive triggers such as slide in inflation, fall in crude oil prices and strong macroeconomic fundamentals are in place for a sustained rally, monsoon rains could decide the near-term trajectory of the benchmarks.”

Among individual stocks, Larsen & Toubro (LART.NS) rose 2.24% to a new record high and was the top Nifty 50 gainer after brokerage Macquarie reiterated its “buy” rating, citing a strong growth outlook after the company emerged as the lowest bidder for a major order to build a bullet train.

On the other hand, Hero MotoCorp (HROM.NS) lost over 2% and was among the top Nifty 50 losers. The two-wheeler makers shares have fallen for four sessions in a row on a probe by the countrys corporate affairs ministry into the alleged diversion of funds.

Meanwhile, global equities were mostly lower on caution ahead of Chinas rate decision on Tuesday and U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Powells congressional testimony on Wednesday and Thursday.

Reporting by Bharath Rajeswaran in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee, Varun H K and Dhanya Ann Thoppil