Sensex, Nifty end flat; log biggest quarterly loss since March 2020

The rise in crude oil prices, interest-rate hikes by central banks, disruptions in global supply chains, and fears of recession have led to a market decline over the past three months

Benchmark indices on Thursday finished lower, capping their worst quarterly performance since March 2020. The Sensex last closed at 53,019 and the Nifty50 finished at 15,780 — both dropping nearly 10 per cent during the quarter. Meanwhile, the Nifty Smallcap 100 and the Nifty Midcap 100 fell 11 per cent and 19 per cent, respectively. This was the worst performance for the equities market in nine quarters. During the March 2020 quarter when the pandemic first reared its head, the Nifty had declined 29 per cent, while the Nifty Midcap 100 and the Nifty Smallcap 100 had dropped 32 per