Domestic markets end lower for third consecutive session

Indian benchmark domestic equity indices ended lower for the third consecutive session on Wednesday. The Sensex plunged 813 points or 1.1 per cent to close at 74,764. The Nifty also shed 204 points or 0.9 per cent to settle at 23,432.  In the broader market on the National Stock Exchange, the Midcap 100 and the Smallcap 100 indices also declined half a per cent each.   
In the Sensex pack, 24 out of 30 companies registered losses. Among the top laggards, HCL Tech lost four and a half per cent, Infosys declined 4.4 per cent, and Tech Mahindra dropped 3.9 per cent. In contrast, Adani Ports surged 3.7 per cent, Tata Steel gained 2.4 per cent and Trent rose 1.1 per cent.  
In the sectoral indices on the BSE, 20 out of 28 sectors edged downward. Among the top underperformers, IT fell 3.2 per cent, Focused IT dropped three per cent and Realty lost two per cent. In contrast, Metal advanced 1.9 per cent, Hospitals gained 1.4 per cent and Utilities added 1.1 per cent.  
The overall market breadth at the BSE was negative, as shares of 2600 companies declined, 1792 advanced and 196 remained unchanged.  
The Indian rupee extended its decline for the second consecutive session, slipping past the 95 per dollar mark and closing 28 paise lower at 95.10, compared with the previous close of 94.82.

(Business Correspondent)