Stock markets fall for 3rd day amid escalating tensions in West Asia, higher oil prices weigh

Mumbai: Stock markets declined for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, with the benchmark Sensex closing lower by nearly 374 points following a bearish trend in global equities and higher oil prices due to escalating conflict in West Asia.

The 30-share BSE Sensex dropped 373.93 points, or 0.49 per cent, to settle at 76,570.35. During the day, it tumbled 808.56 points, or 1.05 per cent, to 76,135.72.

The 50-share NSE Nifty slumped 141.35 points, or 0.59 per cent, to end at 23,914.45.

Among the 30 Sensex firms, Asian Paints, HDFC Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra, HCL Tech, Bharat Electronics and Infosys were the major laggards.