Sensex dives 555 points, Nifty ends below 17,650

Indian benchmark equity indices settled in the red on Wednesday led by losses in index heavyweights RIL, Infosys, ICICI Bank and Kotak Bank amid a negative trend in global markets.

Sensex ended 555.15 points or 0.93% lower at 59,189.73, while the broader NSE Nifty retreated 176.30 points or 0.99% to 17,646.

IndusInd Bank, shedding over 3%, was the top Sensex loser followed by Tata Steel, Bajaj Auto, HCL Tech, Sun Pharma and Tech Mahindra. HDFC twins and Bajaj Finance were the only gainers.

Of 30 Sensex shares 27 closed in the red.

Overall, the market breadth was negative as 1,847 stocks on the BSE declined, while 1,443 advanced and 156 remained unchanged.

All sectoral indices on the NSE closed in the red. Nifty Metal, closing nearly 3%, was the top sectoral laggard followed by Nifty PSU Bank, Nifty Pharma, Nifty Realty and Nifty IT.

In Asia, bourses in Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo ended with significant losses. Shanghai was closed for holidays.