The key domestic indices closed on a weak note. Nifty Realty, Nifty Chemicals and Nifty Metal shares declined, while Nifty IT shares advanced.

As per provisional closing data, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, retreated 777.94 points or 1.04% to 74,003.82. The Nifty 50 index declined 279.50 points or 1.19% to 23,118.60. In the past three trading sessions, the Nifty and Sensex moved lower by 1.34% and 1.02%, respectively.

The broader market surpassed the frontline indices. The BSE 150 MidCap Index recorded sharp losses of 2.17% and the BSE 250 SmallCap Index slumped 2.40%.

The market breadth was fragile. On the BSE, 1273 shares advanced and 4059 shares fell. A total of 193 shares were unchanged.

HDFC Bank Ltd was the top traded stock in NIFTY50 index today, recording a quantity of 503.88 lakh shares and saw a sharp spurt of 114.15% compared to last one-week’s average daily volume. The stock has dropped sharply 2.85% in last one-month and has lost significant ground 26.82% over last one year.

Tata Steel Ltd was the second highest traded stock in NIFTY50 index today, recording a quantity of 318.58 lakh shares and recorded a sharp increase of 5.29% compared to last one-week’s average daily volume. The stock has fallen sharply by around 2.79% in last one-month and has rallied 8.02% over last one year.

Index action

The Nifty IT index advanced by 2.19% to 29555.3 today. The index is sharply lower by 5.78% in last one week and has shed 9.12% over last one month. It has suffered a steep decline of 19.67% in last one year. HCL Technologies Ltd (up 3.95%), Infosys Ltd (up 3.79%), Mphasis Ltd (up 3.62%), Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (up 2.28%) and Tech Mahindra Ltd (up 2.26%) gained.

The Nifty Realty index fell sharply by 4.04% to 814.25 today. The index has slumped by 6.54% in last one week and has slipped by 4.57% over last one month. It edged lower by 3.99% in last one year. Prestige Estates Projects Ltd (down 5.41%), Godrej Properties Ltd (down 5.07%), Lodha Developers Ltd (down 4.66%), Oberoi Realty Ltd (down 4.17%) and Brigade Enterprises Ltd (down 4.13%) retreated.

The Nifty Chemicals index dropped sharply by 3.42% to 28762.15 today. The index is modestly lower by 1.06% in last one week and has drifted lower by 2.33% over last one month. It inched up by 2.05% in last one year. Solar Industries India Ltd (down 13.64%), PCBL Chemical Ltd (down 5.14%), Sumitomo Chemical India Ltd (down 5.13%), Aarti Industries Ltd (down 4.87%) and Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd (down 4.16%) moved lower.

Global Markets

European markets slipped slightly.

DOW futures are lower by 0.27% today.

MCX Crude oil futures are up 0.78% at Rs 9738.0 per barrel.

NIFTY50 futures ended with a loss of 1.13% at 23220 and are in a premium of 101 points compared to NIFTY50.