Sensex, Nifty extend losses into fifth session on rate hike fears

FMCG, auto, bankex, metal, oil & gas and services were the gainers

Equity benchmark indices buckled under selling pressure for the fifth straight session on Thursday as a bearish trend in Asian markets and concerns over rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) unnerved investors.
 

Besides, fresh foreign fund outflows also hit investor sentiments, traders said. In a highly volatile trade amid monthly derivatives expiry, the BSE Sensex declined 139.18 points or 0.23 per cent to settle at 59,605.80. During the day, it hit a high of 59,960.04 and a low of 59,406.31. The NSE Nifty50 slipped 43.05 points or 0.25 per cent to end at 17,511.25.
 

In the Sensex pack,