Markets ended lower for the second consecutive session on Wednesday, as benchmark indices remained under pressure from geopolitical concerns and volatility in global crude oil prices. Investors remained cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision later in the day.
The BSE Sensex slipped 138.64 points or 0.17 per cent to close at 81,444.66, while the NSE Nifty 50 declined 41.35 points or 0.17 per cent, settling at 24,812.05.
Despite opening flat at 24,788.35, the Nifty surged to an intraday high of 24,947 in early trade, supported by buying in auto and consumer stocks. However, profit booking dragged the index to a low of 24,750 during the final hour.
Top Gainers
IndusInd Bank led the gainers’ list, rallying 5.12 per cent to ₹850.60 on strong institutional buying. Titan advanced 1.99 per cent to ₹3,472.95, backed by optimism in discretionary spending trends.
Mahindra & Mahindra added 1.24 per cent to close at ₹3,045.00, while Maruti Suzuki rose 1.12 per cent to ₹12,735.80. Asian Paints completed the top five with a 0.74 per cent gain, ending at ₹2,281.15.
Top Losers
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. was the biggest laggard, dropping 1.55 per cent to ₹1,370.10 amid concerns over trade disruptions in the Middle East. Hindustan Unilever Ltd. declined 1.35 per cent to ₹2,297.35.
Bajaj Finserv fell 1.16 per cent to ₹1,980.45, while Nestlé India slipped 0.95 per cent to ₹2,339.00. NTPC Ltd. ended 0.85 per cent lower at ₹332.50.
Sectoral trend
While banking and auto stocks saw selective buying, broader market sentiment remained weak. Auto and consumer discretionary stocks outperformed slightly on expectations of a demand recovery, while defensive sectors like FMCG and utilities saw selling pressure.
“The domestic market failed to maintain the opening gains as the continuing tensions in the Middle East and volatility in oil prices dragged the overall sentiment,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services.