Indian equity benchmarks ended the session on a negative note, weighed down by persistent foreign institutional outflows and weak global cues. The BSE Sensex closed lower by 539.34 points (-0.70%) at 76,933.59, while the NSE Nifty 50 declined by 116.90 points (-0.48%) to finish at 24,090.85.
Sectoral action remained largely skewed toward bears, with IT, Private Banks, and Financial Services experiencing significant profit booking. Heavyweights such as HDFC Bank, Infosys, and Reliance Industries led the decline. In contrast, defensive pockets like Pharma and select Auto and Metal stocks managed modest gains, preventing a steeper fall in the broader markets.
On the macroeconomic front, elevated US Treasury yields and mixed Asian markets kept domestic sentiment subdued. Brent crude hovered near the $78/barrel mark, while the Indian Rupee traded in a tight band against the US Dollar. With Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remaining net sellers, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) provided partial downside support. Investors now eye upcoming GDP prints and global central bank signals for directional cues.