Mkt falls for 3rd session amid global cues, profit booking

DOMESTIC equity markets extended their decline for a third straight session on Tuesday, dragged down by broad-based selling pressure and profit booking at elevated levels.

- ARSHAD KHAN @New Delhi

Weak global cues, lingering geopolitical tensions, and currency market volatility-fuelled by a softening US dollar further dampened investor sentiment.

Despite a positive opening, market sentiment turned weak in the second half. The Nifty 50, after hitting an intraday high of 24,845, settled at 24,542.50, down 174 points or 0.70%, from the previous day's closing. The BSE Sensex mirrored similar trends, closing at 0.78% lower at 80,737.51. The benchmarks have fallen about 1.4% each in the past three sessions.