With profit-booking and conflicting global cues, markets close lower

MUMBAI: There was a decrease of 18.65 points, or 0.08%, in the broader NSE Nifty to 22,434.65, with 30 components of the 50-share benchmark ending lower. Due to profit-booking in several banking and auto stocks, along with mixed global market trends and a withdrawal of foreign capital, the equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended the day lower on Wednesday for the second straight session.

The 30-share BSE Sensex closed at 73,876.82, down 27.09 points, or 0.04%. The index fluctuated during the day, peaking at 74,151.21 and falling to 73,757.23.