Benchmark domestic equity indices closed over 1.7 per cent lower today. The Sensex tanked one thousand and 353 points to close at 77 thousand and 566, while the Nifty dropped 422 points to settle at 24 thousand and 28. 

 

Earlier today, markets opened with a sharp gap-down amid a surge in crude oil prices and selling across Asian markets. Market sentiment remained fragile throughout the session as geopolitical concerns kept investors on edge. However, the indices staged a recovery from the slump witnessed in the early trade. The Sensex recovered over 1,100 points from its intraday lows, while the Nifty also recovered around 300 points from the lowest point of the session before ending in negative territory for the second consecutive session.

 

In the Sensex pack, shares of 25 out of 30 companies logged losses. Among the key decliners, UltraTech Cement plunged over 5.1 per cent, Maruti lost nearly 4.6 per cent, and Mahindra and Mahindra dropped 4.4 per cent. Conversely, Reliance surged nearly 1.4 per cent, SunPharma as well as Infosys, rose almost half a per cent, and Tech Mahindra advanced over 0.2 per cent. 

 

Among the sectoral indices at the BSE, all 25 sectors registered a downward move. In the top laggards, MidSmall Private Banks Quality Tilt tanked 4.5 per cent, PSU Bank fell over 3.9 per cent, and Auto slipped 3.9 per cent. 

The overall market breadth at the BSE was negative, as shares of 3,484 companies declined, 886 advanced, and 166 remained unchanged.