Sensex down 73 pts, Nifty trades flat; broader indices outperform

Domestic equities opened lower, almost flat, tracking lower global markets. S&P BSE’s Sensex plunged 73.38 points, or 0.12 per cent to 63,449.77, while broader NSE Nifty50 fell 2.45 points, or 0.01 per cent to 18,854.40.

Broader markets, however, defied the trend and were mostly trading in green, as Nifty Smallcap 100 gained 0.47 per cent, Nifty Smallcap 50 jumped 0.46 per cent, Nifty Smallcap 250 climbed 0.43 per cent.

Sectorally, the media index gained 0.44 per cent, the auto index jumped 0.20 per cent, Nifty Financial Services 25/50 climbed 0.27 per cent, and the metal index gained 0.23 per cent. However, the IT index plunged 0.45 per cent, followed by Nifty FMCG falling 0.40 per cent.

HDFC Life, Tata Steel, Adani Ports, Hindalco, M&M, SBI Life, Eicher Motors, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and HDFC were the top gainers in the opening trade.

On the other hand, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Power Grid, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Hindustan Unilever, Britannia, Wipro, and Bharti Airtel were the top losing stocks.