Indian stock markets ended lower on Wednesday after a highly volatile trading session, as losses in IT and realty stocks weighed on investor sentiment.
Rising geopolitical tensions and uncertainty surrounding the US-India trade deal capped any meaningful recovery during the day.
The Sensex slipped 0.29 per cent, or 244.98 points, to close at 83,382.71, while the Nifty fell 0.26 per cent, or 66.70 points, to settle at 25,665.60.
From a derivatives perspective, analysts said Nifty options data showed maximum call open interest at the 26,000 and 25,800 strike prices, indicating strong resistance levels.
On the downside, maximum put open interest at the 25,700 and 25,600 strikes pointed to immediate support zones.
Market participants also remained cautious ahead of a trading holiday.
Both the National Stock Exchange of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange will remain closed on Thursday, January 15, due to municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra.
Tata Steel, NTPC and Axis Bank led gains on both the Sensex and Nifty, while Asian Paints, TCS and Maruti Suzuki weighed on the benchmarks.
Broader markets outperformed, with the Nifty SmallCap 100 rising 0.67 per cent and the MidCap 100 gaining 0.29 per cent, indicating selective buying beyond frontline stocks.
Sectorally, metal and PSU bank stocks outshone, with the Nifty Metal index surging 2.70 per cent and the PSU Bank index up 2.13 per cent, while IT and realty stocks declined.
Analysts said global uncertainties kept sentiment cautious.
On the technical front, repeated rejection near the 25,900 level continued to cap upside for the Nifty, with immediate resistance seen around 25,800.
Also Read: Indian Stock Markets To Remain Closed On January 15 Due To Maharashtra Municipal Elections
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