Markets extended their losing streak for a fifth consecutive session on Thursday, with the Nifty 50 breaching the crucial psychological level of 25,000 as persistent foreign institutional investor selling and concerns over US H-1B visa fee hikes weighed heavily on sentiment.

Sensex tanked 555.95 points or 0.68 per cent to close at 81,159.68, while the Nifty 50 fell by 166.05 points or 0.66 per cent to 24,890.85. The broader market decline was broad-based, with 2,709 stocks declining against 1,474 advances on the BSE.

“The Indian stock market closed sharply lower; the Sensex fell approximately 555 points and the Nifty dropped below the 24,900 mark,” said Vaibhav Vidwani, Research Analyst at Bonanza Group. “Persistent foreign institutional selling, weak global cues, and heightened conce

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