On the 30-share Sensex platform, NTPC, Tata Motors and Infosys dominated in green. On the other side, Tata Steel, M&M, Adani Ports, SBI and JSW Steel emerged among the losers for the day

The trends on Gift Nifty also indicate a flat start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 24,235 level, a premium of nearly 10 points from the Nifty futures’ previous close.

The BSE Sensex was trading at 78,295.70, down 379.48 points, or 0.48 per cent. Smallcap and midcap indices fell 1.77 per cent and 1.41 per cent, respectively.

The S P BSE Sensex ended 984.23 points lower at 77,690.95 at the closing bell, while the NSE Nifty50 fell 324.40 points to settle at 23,559.05.

The equity markets continued to show weakness on Wednesday as the benchmark indices closing in red, with Sensex declining 984 point to settle at 77,690 while Nifty at 23,559. However, Swiggy at its debut settled at 456,

While the headline indices will be treated in bear grip if they fall below 20% from the peak, retail investor portfolios are already reflecting signs of a bear market as more than 900 stocks above Rs 1,

The key indices Nifty and Sensex have breached psychologically important levels on concerns about rising inflation, less chances of RBI rate action and profitbooking ahead of Maharashtra Polls.

Benchmark stock market indices opened flat on Wednesday after witnessing a major decline in the previous trading session which led to investors losing Rs 5.76 lakh in wealth. The S&P BSE Sensex was down 76.