Closing Bell: Headline indices end the session in red; metal sector worst hit

On Monday, the domestic equity benchmarks closed near the flat line, with a slight negative tilt.

On Monday, the domestic equity benchmarks closed near the flat line, with a slight negative tilt. While metal equities were heavily selling, IT and auto companies ended the day in the green. Inflation concerns, impending expectations of fast interest rate rises, and a weakening global economic outlook all weighed on investors' minds. 

The BSE Sensex closed with a loss today falling by 37 points to close at 54,288 levels. MidCap index too slipped by 57 points to end the day at 22,449 levels, while the BSE SmallCap index plunged by 169 points to close at 26,182 levels. The top stocks on the BSE Sensex today were Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, Hindustan Unilever, Larsen & Toubro, and Asian Paints. However, the Top Losers were Tata Steel, UltraTech Cement, ITC, Power Grid Corporation of India, and HDFC Bank.  

The Nifty 50 ended at 16,214 levels with a decline of 51 points only. Similarly, Bank Nifty fell by 28 points and closed the day at 34,247 levels. The top gaining stocks were Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Hindustan Unilever, Larsen & Toubro, and Wipro. The top losers today were JSW Steel, Tata Steel, Divi’s Laboratories, ONGC, and Hindalco Industries. 

The total stocks traded today were 3,555 out of which 1,452 advanced and 1,937 stocks declined, and 166 stocks were unchanged. The number of stocks that were locked in the upper circuit was 278 and the number of stocks that closed in the lower circuit today was 278. Today, 93 stocks have made a 52-week high and 62 stocks made a 52-week low today.