Benchmark BSE Sensex fell nearly 55 points in early trade on Thursday due to profit-booking in banking, FMCG, capital goods, oil&gas and healthcare stocks coupled with weak Asian cues.

The 30-share index fell by 54.87 points or 0.20% to 26,659.06. The gauge had gained 45.97 points in the previous session.

Indian automobile manufacturer Mahindra's South African subsidiary has launched a new compact utility vehicle here with the company trying to reach out to the youth with its latest offering and capture a bigger market share in the country.

The new sporty KUV100, available in petrol and diesel, is the smallest vehicle in Mahindra South Africa's product range.

TVS Motor Company was trading higher by 2% at Rs 297 on the BSE after the company reported 11% year on year increase in total sales at 243,783 units in May 2016 against sale of 220,079 units in May 2015.

Total two-wheeler sales during the month grew 13% to 238,320 units as against 210,843 units in the same month a year ago, TVS Motor Company said in a regulatory filing.

The US-based Ford Motor Company has become the first automaker to formulate and test new foam and plastic components using carbon dioxide (CO2) as feedstock. Researchers expect to see the new biomaterials in Ford production vehicles within five years.

Formulated with up to 50 percent CO2-based polyols, the foam is showing promise as it meets rigorous automotive test standards. It could be employed in seating and underhood applications, potentially reducing petroleum use by more than 600 million pounds annually – enough to fill nearly 35,000 American homes.

Homegrown auto major Mahindra & Mahindra on Wednesday reported 19.53% increase in total tractor sales at 23,018 units in May.

The company had sold 19,257 units in the same month last year.

State-run BHEL on Wednesday said it has commissioned another 520 MW coal-based power generating unit in Andhra Pradesh.

The unit has been commissioned at the 2x520 MW Vizag thermal power project of Hinduja National Power Co Ltd (HNPCL), Visakhapatnam, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited said in a statement.

MUMBAI: The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex rallied 176.26 points in late morning trade amid sustained bouts of buying from funds and investors led by the key telecom, FMCG, IT, technology and oil & gas sectors.

Firm gross domestic product data after market hours on Tuesday triggered the buying spree, while positive manufacturing purchasing managers' indexes despite its slowest pace somewhat supported the sentiment.

The auction of coal linkages for sponge iron industry has been deferred and bidding for the sector will now be held next week.

“Based on the feedback received during the pre-bid meeting held on May 29, 2016, it is hereby notified that the time line for auction of linkage of sponge iron sector has been extended,” Coal India (CIL) said in a notice.

Hinduja Group flagship company Ashok Leyland today reported a 6 per cent increase in total sales at 9,875 units in May.

The company had sold 9,290 units in May last year.

The Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have increased prices of petrol by Rs 2.58 per litre and diesel rates by Rs 2.26 per litre in order to align the domestic rates of the automobile fuels with global prices.

Post the change, effective today, petrol will be priced at Rs 65.60 per litre while a litre of diesel will cost Rs 53.93 per litre in Delhi, including state taxes.

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