Sensex ends 152 points lower, Nifty below 9,600 as investors book profits

The benchmark indices settled lower on Fridy as investors booked profits in financials such as State Bank of India and auto makers such as Maruti Suzuki India. Negative trend in European and Asian markets also impacted the sentiment. 

The S&P BSE Sensex ended at 31,138, down 152 points, while the broader Nifty50 settled at 9,574, down 55 points.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Midcap and the S&P BSE Smallcap indices shed over 1% each. 

Market breadth depicted weakness. There were more than three losers against every gainer on BSE. 1,936 shares fell and 683 shares rose. A total