Benchmark domestic equity indices witnessed a sharp sell-off on Wednesday, with both the Sensex and the Nifty plunging more than two per cent. Spike in crude oil prices, weak global cues and renewed geopolitical tensions weighed heavily on the markets. The Sensex tumbled 1,677 points to close at 76,504. The Nifty also dipped 517 points to settle at 23,882.

In the broader market on the National Stock Exchange, the Midcap 100 index fell over one and a half per cent while the Smallcap 100 index lost more than 2.2 per cent.

In the forex market today, the rupee depreciated by 60 paise to trade at 95 rupees and 56 paise against the US dollar. In the global crude oil market, Brent Crude was trading six per cent up at 78 US dollars and 59 cents per barrel, while WTI Crude was trading over 6.1 per cent up at 74 US dollars and 77 cents per barrel in intra-day trade.

In the Indian bullion market, 24-Carat gold was trading down at 1 lakh 43 thousand 560 rupees per 10 grams, and silver was trading down at 2 lakh 24 thousand 30 rupees per kilogram, when reports last came in.

For more updates about the market activities, tune in to Akashvani’s bilingual programme Market Mantra at 6:30 PM this evening.