Benchmark domestic equity indices ended in the negative zone today. The Sensex declined 548 points or nearly 0.8 per cent to close at 71,925. The Nifty dropped 157 points, or 0.7 per cent to settle at 22,363.
However, the broader market at the National Stock Exchange outperformed the frontline indices. The Midcap 100 index edged up marginally and the Smallcap 100 index gained 1.4 per cent.
In the Sensex pack, 23 out of 30 constituent companies registered losses. Among the top underperformers, ITC declined over 3.2 per cent, Tech Mahindra fell 3.1 per cent and Hindustan Unilever slipped 2.1 per cent. In contrast, BEL advanced 1.4 per cent, Mahindra and Mahindra gained over 0.8 per cent, and Kotak Mahindra Bank rose nearly 0.7 per cent.
In the sectoral indices on the BSE, 17 out of 28 sectors edged downward. Among the top laggards, Hospitals shed two per cent, FMCG fell over 1.3 per cent, and PSU banks dropped one per cent. In contrast, Hosuing Finance gained nearly 1.9 per cent, Capital Goods jumped 1.3 per cent, and Realty added 0.8 per cent.
The overall market breadth at the BSE was positive, as shares of 2291 companies advanced, 2164 declined and 281 remained unchanged.
