The key domestic indices ended marginally lower. Nifty Metal, Nifty Pharma and Nifty Healthcare Index shares gained, while Nifty Consumer Durables and Nifty Chemicals shares fell.

As per provisional closing data, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, inched down 242.65 points or 0.33% to 72,529.07. The Nifty 50 index posted modest losses of 64.05 points or 0.28% to 22,716.20. In the past three trading sessions, the Nifty and Sensex moved lower by 1.50% and 1.43%, respectively.

The broader market performed better than frontline indices. The BSE 150 MidCap Index lost 0.74% and the BSE 250 SmallCap Index edged lower by 0.49%.

The market breadth was weak. On the BSE, 2231 shares advanced and 3008 shares declined. A total of 210 shares were unchanged.

Wipro Ltd was the top traded stock in NIFTY50 index today, recording a quantity of 1644.54 lakh shares and posted a sharp rise of 1493.83% compared to last one-week’s average daily volume. The stock has plunged around 10.72% in last one-month and has dropped sharply 32.58% over last one year.

HDFC Bank Ltd was the second highest traded stock in NIFTY50 index today, recording a quantity of 427.56 lakh shares and saw a sharp spurt of 55.22% compared to last one-week’s average daily volume. The stock has edged lower 0.17% in last one-month and has fallen sharply 24.33% over last one year.

Index action

The Nifty Metal index gained modestly by 0.78% to 12954.45 today. The index is marginally lower by 0.91% in last one week and has drifted lower by 4.96% over last one month. It is sharply higher by 29.54% in last one year. Adani Enterprises Ltd (up 5.01%), Welspun Corp Ltd (up 3.73%), Lloyds Metals & Energy Ltd (up 3.59%), Tata Steel Ltd (up 0.91%) and JSW Steel Ltd (up 0.66%) gained.

The Nifty Pharma index inched up by 0.64% to 26933.65 today. The index has eased by 0.96% in last one week and has posted modest losses of 0.85% over last one month. It surged by 24.62% in last one year. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd (up 4.98%), Mankind Pharma Ltd (up 4.49%), Gland Pharma Ltd (up 3.24%), Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd (up 2.53%) and Abbott India Ltd (up 1.98%) traded higher.

The Nifty Consumer Durables index plunged 2.71% to 37129.95 today. The index is modestly lower by 0.12% in last one week and has fallen 5.87% over last one month. It has gained modestly by 1.93% in last one year. Amber Enterprises India Ltd (down 5.49%), Voltas Ltd (down 4.01%), Havells India Ltd (down 3.84%), Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd (down 3.40%) and Whirlpool of India Ltd (down 3.15%) retreated.

The Nifty Chemicals index retreated by 2.31% to 28030.3 today. The index has declined by 2.09% in last one week and has edged lower 4.96% over last one month. It has edged lower by 1.68% in last one year. Coromandel International Ltd (down 5.59%), Tata Chemicals Ltd (down 4.30%), Deepak Fertilisers & Petrochemicals Corp Ltd (down 3.08%), SRF Ltd (down 2.87%) and Pidilite Industries Ltd (down 2.79%) fell.

Global Markets

European markets showed a slight improvement.

DOW futures are scarcely higher by 0.25% today.

MCX Crude oil futures are edging lower by 1% at Rs 8931.0 per barrel.

NIFTY50 futures closed slightly lower by 0.46% at 22715 and are in a discount of 1 points compared to NIFTY50.