Benchmark indices ended lower on Friday (15th March 2024) as cautiousness towards mid and small caps continued to drag market sentiment, dampening the broader market. 

 

The 30-share Sensex plunged 454 points or 0.62 per cent to close at 72,643 and NSE Nifty declined 123 points or 0.56 per cent to finish at 22,023.  

 

Among Sensex firms, Mahindra and Mahindra plunged over five percent. Tata Motors, NTPC, HCL Technology, and Larsen and Toubro were among the laggards. 

 

On the other hand, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finance, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Finserv and IndusInd Bank were among the gainers. 

 

In the broader market, the BSE midcap index slipped 0.51 percent while the smallcap index went up by 0.25 percent.  

 

In the sectoral indices at the BSE, the Oil and Energy sector declined 2.25 percent. Energy sector slipped 1.95 percent and Auto sector fell 1.75 percent.  

 

On the other hand, the telecommunication index rose over one percent, services index climbed 0.60 percent and Commodities sector jumped 0.30 percent.