The key domestic indices closed slightly lower. Nifty Chemicals, Nifty Consumer Durables and Nifty Metal shares declined, while Nifty IT shares advanced.

As per provisional closing data, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, posted modest losses of 143.21 points or 0.19% to 73,709.69. The Nifty 50 index edged lower by 77.60 points or 0.34% to 22,811.35. In the past three trading sessions, the Nifty and Sensex slipped by 0.81% and 0.82%, respectively.

The broader market outpaced the frontline indices. The BSE 150 MidCap Index posted steep losses of 1.58% and the BSE 250 SmallCap Index plunged 2.16%.

The market breadth was fragile. On the BSE, 1113 shares gained and 4200 shares fell. A total of 190 shares were unchanged.

Eternal Ltd was the top traded stock in NIFTY50 index today, recording a quantity of 301.52 lakh shares and registered a sharp increase of 72.47% compared to last one-week’s average daily volume. The stock has dropped sharply 4.67% in last one-month and has fallen sharply 5.31% over last one year.

HDFC Bank Ltd was the second highest traded stock in NIFTY50 index today, recording a quantity of 265.74 lakh shares and registered a modest decline of 0.85% compared to last one-week’s average daily volume. The stock has tumbled 3.72% in last one-month and has lost significant ground 29.01% over last one year.

Index action

The Nifty IT index soared 2.88% to 32422.5 today. The index has rallied by 11.17% in last one week and has added 9.31% over last one month. It is lower by around 10.70% in last one year. Wipro Ltd (up 3.86%), Infosys Ltd (up 3.30%), HCL Technologies Ltd (up 3.21%), Tech Mahindra Ltd (up 3.13%) and Mphasis Ltd (up 3%) moved higher.

The Nifty Chemicals index dropped sharply by 2.64% to 27176.35 today. The index is modestly lower by 1.42% in last one week and has inched lower by 4.75% over last one month. It edged lower by 4.35% in last one year. Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd (down 10.99%), SRF Ltd (down 5.22%), Tata Chemicals Ltd (down 4.98%), Deepak Fertilisers & Petrochemicals Corp Ltd (down 4.77%) and Jubilant Ingrevia Ltd (down 4.29%) retreated.

The Nifty Consumer Durables index declined by 1.86% to 35175.15 today. The index is marginally lower by 0.27% in last one week and has fallen 6.19% over last one month. It is down 8.16% in last one year. Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd (down 3.54%), Dixon Technologies (India) Ltd (down 3.40%), Thangamayil Jewellery Ltd (down 3.13%), PG Electroplast Ltd (down 3.08%) and Amber Enterprises India Ltd (down 2.90%) traded lower.