Indian equity benchmarks fell for the fifth straight session on Thursday, tracking weak global cues and sustained foreign investor selling. The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 556 points or 0.68 per cent to close at 81,159.68, extending its five-day loss to nearly 1,854 points. The NSE Nifty dropped 166 points or 0.66 per cent to settle at 24,890.85, down 2 per cent for the week. Advertisement

Broader indices moved in tandem with the benchmarks, with Nifty Midcap100 and Smallcap100 shedding around 0.6 per cent each.

Sectorally, most indices ended lower, led by realty and IT stocks. Metal was the only gainer, rising 0.22 per cent on the back of rallies in Hindustan Copper, Vedanta, Hindalco and Hindustan Zinc. The Nifty Metal index has now gained 11 per cent so far in September.

Prashanth

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