After rallying for three successive days, the Sensex, on Tuesday (Mar 17), ended the day on a negative note followed by banking, IT and oil & gas stocks.

Among the BSE Sectoral indices BSE IT index remained the top loser, the index declined 2%. Among the other major losers were BSE Bankex index (down 1.6%), BSE Oil & Gas index  (down 1.3%) and BSE Teck index (down 1.2%).

After opening at 8,942.01, down 1.53 points, BSE Sensex remained lackluster all through the day. It also hit a high of 9,024.12.

Indian equities, on Friday, maintained an upbeat momentum all through the day, and closed strongly, because of positive global signals, backed by firming trends of Asian markets.

The Sensex closed at 9.634.74, up 168.91 points after touching a high of 9,695.59 and a low of 9,540.60. In contrast, the broad-based NSE Nifty gained 55.30 points at 2,948.35 after hitting a high of 2,969.75 and a low of 2,896.85.

BSE Midcap and Smallcap index rose 1.51% and 0.62% respectively

Equities opened on a firm note on the major Indian bourses today, following positive global sentiment ahead of January F&O expiry series.

Realty and banking stocks were among the most prominent gainers during the early trade. Metal, auto, capital goods and IT stocks have also recorded sharp gains.

Buying remained stock specific in FMCG and pharma stocks, while power and oil stocks remained subdued.

The Sensex continued to trade in the positive terrain on account of continued buying action witnessed across frontline stocks.

Auto, banking, FMCG, oil & gas stocks were the major gainers, while consumer durables went down. BSE Midcap and Smallcap index gained 0.48% and 0.68% respectively.

Indian stock market belled the day positively at 9,077.65 after gaining 73.57 points as against its last closure on Tuesday.