Sensex, Nifty log 6th straight day of loss amid lingering Ukraine crisis

Russian President Putin reco­gnised the independence of two rebel-held regions of Ukraine, raising fears of an imminent full-scale invasion

Market gauges Sensex and Nifty extended their losing streak to the sixth session on Wednesday as lingering Ukraine crisis continued to dent investor sentiment.

The Sensex closed 68.62 points, or 0.12 per cent, lower at 57,232.06; the Nifty ended 28.95 points, or 0.12 per cent down, at 17,063.25.

For a better part of the session, both indices traded in the positive territory, tracking mostly higher Asian peers as investors hoped Western sanctions on Russia after Moscow's troop movements near Ukraine border might soften Vladimir Putin's defiant tone and leave some room to avoid war.

The Sensex breadth was equally divided between gains and