Equity markets ended lower with the Sensex fell 376 points, while the Nifty closed below the 26,200 level, as selling pressure emerged in heavyweight stocks despite positive global cues.
Markets opened on a firm note, supported by higher GIFT Nifty, gains in Asian markets, and a strong overnight close on Wall Street. However, profit-booking at higher levels and weak domestic sentiment dragged indices into negative territory by the afternoon.
On the sectoral front, pharma and select banking stocks outperformed. Apollo Hospitals, Sun Pharma, ICICI Bank, HDFC Life, and Tata Consumer Products were among the key gainers, helping limit the overall downside.
In contrast, heavy selling was seen in frontline stocks such as Reliance Industries, ITC, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and InterGlobe Aviation, which emerged as major drags on the benchmarks. Sectors including capital goods, infrastructure, oil and gas, and media declined 1–2 percent.
The broader market also remained under pressure, with midcap and smallcap indices closing lower, indicating widespread selling.
Market experts said cautious investor sentiment and profit-taking outweighed supportive global cues. Investors are expected to track global developments, upcoming economic data, and earnings for further direction in the near term.
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