Benchmark domestic equity indices ended in negative territory today. The Sensex declined 493 points or 0.63 per cent to close at 77,235. The Nifty slipped 133 points or 0.55 per cent to settle at 24,155. In the broader market at the National Stock Exchange, the Midcap 100 index fell 0.4 per cent, while the Smallcap 100 index remained unchanged.
Earlier, the markets opened lower amid weak global cues. Both indices remained under pressure and traded in a range-bound manner through most of the session. However, towards the fag end of the session, the markets extended their decline amid selling pressure ahead of the weekly expiry of Nifty futures and options contracts.
In the Sensex pack, 22 out of 30 companies registered losses. Among the top underperformers, Asian Paints shed 2.4 per cent, Infosys dropped two per cent and HCL Tech lost 1.9 per cent. In contrast, Axis Bank added 0.9 per cent, Power Grid gained 0.7 per cent and Mahindra and Mahindra edged up half a per cent.
In the sectoral indices on the BSE, 21 out of 28 sectors ended with losses. Among the top laggards, Focused IT declined 1.8 per cent, Information Technology dropped 1.7 per cent and Realty lost 1.3 per cent. In contrast, Midsmall Private Banks Quality Tilt advanced 0.3 per cent, Hospitals as well as Healthcare increased by a quarter of a per cent, and Auto added 0.2 per cent.
The overall market breadth at the BSE was negative, as shares of 2,384 companies declined, 1,930 advanced and 216 remained unchanged.
