In the broader markets, mid-cap stocks faced a severe blow with the BSE MidCap index erasing 0.67 per cent.
The domestic benchmark indices ended the volatile session in the red, snapping their two-day winning run, as a weak global market environment weighed on investors' nerves
The broader markets, however, outperformed the frontline indices with the BSE MidCap and SmallCap indices adding 0.06 per cent and 0.34 per cent, respectively.
L&T, HUL and RIL were the top losers in Sensex pack. RIL shares ended 0.74 per cent lower ahead of its Q1 results later in the evening
The BSE MidCap and SmallCap indices, however, underperformed the benchmarks
Tech Mahindra, Bajaj Finance, Bharti Airtel and Bajaj Finserv were the top Sensex gainers. On the other hand, HUL, Asian Paints, Bajaj Auto and M&M were the four losers
Signs of a strong corporate earnings season lifted demand for risky equities
Sectorally, only the Nifty FMCG index closed in the green. Nifty Media, Metals and Realty indices declined over 2% each and were the top laggards
In the global markets, mainstream indices in Japan, South Korea. and Australia declined in the range of 0.35 to 0.96 per cent
Sectorally, only pharma and realty stocks showed some strength. Nifty Realty gained 0.43% and Nifty Pharma 0.24%. Nifty Private Bank index witnessed heavy profit-taking as the index slipped over 2%
Sectorally, the Nifty Bank index declined over 2 per cent, led by losses in HDFC Bank (down over 3 per cent)
Telecom major Airtel, Ultratech Cement, Tata Steel and PowerGrid emerged to best performers
The mid- and small-cap indices meanwhile, outperformed and ended over 0.4 per cent higher each
On stock-specific front shares of Wipro added 2.52 per cent to Rs 575.75 ahead of its Q1 numbers
HCL Tech (up over 5 per cent), L&T, Tech M, Hindalco, Wipro, UPL, HDFC Bank, and ITC were the top gainers
Tech Mahindra, HCL Technologies and Infosys were the top performers in the 30-pack Sensex while Maruti, HUL and Nestle were the worst laggards
In the primary market, the Rs 9,300-crore initial public offer (IPO) of Zomato was subscribed 57 per cent till 3:30 PM on the first day of the issue
Sectorally, Nifty Media, IT and FMCG indices ended in the red. Nifty Financial Services index, with a gain of 1.18 per cent was the best sectoral performer, followed by Nifty Private Bank index
ICICI Bank (up 2.7 per cent), HDFC, Axis Bank, Sun Pharma, and NTPC were the top gainers on the frontline S&P BSE Sensex
Sectorally, the realty stocks were in demand with the Nifty Realty index hitting all-time high of 382.25 in intraday session