Indian benchmark equity indices ended the week in negative territory on Friday, weighed down by broad-based profit-booking and selling pressure in key sectors, particularly private banks and financial stocks.
The BSE Sensex declined 455.59 points, or 0.58 per cent, to close at 78,499.17, while the NSE Nifty 50 fell 65.35 points, or 0.27 per cent, to settle at 24,570.65.
Market sentiment remained cautious amid uncertainty over developments in the Middle East, with volatility in crude oil prices continuing to influence investor sentiment.
Domestic earnings provided some support, with several major companies reporting results in line with or ahead of expectations. SBI’s performance, supported by credit growth, improving asset quality and resilient margins, also strengthened sentiment towards the banking and PSU banking segments.
In the commodities market, Brent crude was trading at USD 81.99 per barrel, while crude oil stood at USD 77.07. Gold gained 1.61 per cent to trade at USD 4,308.18.
Asian markets remained mixed. The Nikkei 225, KOSPI and Taiwan Weighted index declined, while the Hang Seng, Straits Times and Shanghai Composite advanced.
In the US market, Dow Jones Futures traded 0.05 per cent higher, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were marginally lower.
