Negative global cues and heavy selling pressure in index heavyweights like Sun Pharma, ITC, Lupin and Axis Bank pulled key Indian equity indices -- the NSE Nifty50 and the BSE Sensex -- lower on Wednesday.
Sectorwise, the S&P BSE healthcare, FMCG and capital goods indices, among others, slipped into the negative zone.
The wider 51-scrip Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) fell by 36.70 points, or 0.37 per cent, to provisionally close at 9,915.50 points (at 3.30 p.m.).
The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 31,713.50 points, closed at 31,661.97 points -- down 147.58 points, or 0.46 per cent, from its previous close at 31,809.55 points.
The BSE market breadth, however, was slightly bullish with 1,331 advances and 1,238 declines.
The Sensex touched a high of 31,727.85 points and a low of 31,586.53 points during the day's trade.
On Tuesday, the benchmark indices closed on a higher note as positive European markets and persistent purchasing by domestic institutional investors (DIIs) buoyed investors' sentiments.
The Nifty50 closed at 9,952.20 points -- up 39.35 points or 0.40 per cent, while the Sensex closed at 31,809.55 points -- up 107.30 points or 0.34 per cent.
--IANS
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