The Indian stock market faced a challenging day, with a significant majority of sectors declining. Out of 38 sectors, only three managed to advance, while 35 experienced losses. The realty sector was the hardest hit, falling by 1.70%, while the S&P BSE Telecommunication sector emerged as the top gainer, with a modest increase of 0.34%.
The advance-decline ratio across the BSE500 reflected a bearish sentiment, with 122 stocks advancing compared to 377 declining. The BSE100, MIDCAP, and SMLCAP indices all recorded declines, with losses of 0.66%, 0.72%, and 0.75%, respectively.

Among the top gainers in the BSE500, Hindustan Copper led with a rise of 6.41%, followed by Newgen Software at 4.03% and eClerx Services at 3.99%. Conversely, Tata Investment Corporation was the top loser, down 5.36%, followed by Aditya Birla Fashion and Home First Finance, which fell by 4.32% and 4.22%, respectively.

The SENSEX closed at 81,159.68, down 555.95 points or 0.68%, while the Nifty ended at 24,890.85, losing 166.05 points or 0.66%. Despite the overall decline, Nifty remains above its 50-day moving average, indicating some underlying strength in the market.