Indian equity markets extended their losing streak to a sixth consecutive session on Tuesday, August 18, with benchmark indices ending lower as persistent geopolitical tensions and elevated crude oil prices continued to weigh on investor sentiment.
The NSE Nifty50 ended 132.75 points, or 0.55%, lower at 24,154.90, while the BSE Sensex settled at 77,235.46, down 492.70 points, or 0.63%, from the previous close.
Among broader market indices, the Nifty Midcap100 declined 0.43%, while the Nifty Smallcap100 ended flat.
On the sectoral front, IT stocks led the decline, with the Nifty IT index falling 1.93% amid concerns that persistently high interest rates could dampen global technology spending. The Nifty PSU Bank, and Realty indices also declined more than 1% each. FMCG, Metal, Private Bank and Consumer Durables indices ended lower by up to 0.77%.
Meanwhile, the Nifty Auto, Healthcare, Oil & Gas and Pharma indices managed to end in positive territory, gaining up to 0.42%.
The India VIX, a measure of market volatility, rose 0.57% to 11.39.
Market breadth remained negative, with 1,924 of the 3,582 stocks traded on the NSE ending in the red, while 1,558 stocks closed higher. Another 100 stocks remained unchanged on Tuesday.
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