The BSE Sensex continued its downward trajectory for the third consecutive session on Tuesday as spiking inflation and global concerns over the Omicron variant sapped risk appetite.
A weakening rupee and unabated foreign fund outflows added to the gloom, traders said.
The 30-share benchmark declined 166.33 points or 0.29 per cent to end at 58,117.09. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty fell 43.35 points or 0.25 per cent to 17,324.90.
ITC was the top loser on the Sensex chart, shedding 2.73 per cent, followed by Bajaj Finance, Kotak Bank, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Industries and Bajaj Finserv. On the other hand, PowerGrid, Dr Reddy's, Nestle India, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank and IndusInd Bank were among the winners, climbing as much as 3.84 per cent.
"Due to elevated levels of inflation and weak Asian markets, the domestic indices extended losses ahead of the US Fed policy announcement," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services.
Offsetting a favourable base effect and cut in levies on fuel, India's CPI inflation rose to 4.91 per cent YoY in November as higher input costs forced producers to hike prices.