Indian indices fall Tuesday as IT, auto, metal stocks slide

Indian stock markets closed lower on Tuesday, extending losses for a second consecutive session as profit-booking in key sectors and geopolitical concerns weighed on investor sentiment. The benchmark BSE Sensex fell 262.90 points, or 0.34 percent, to close at 76,465.47. The broader NSE Nifty 50 index declined 87.65 points, or 0.37 percent, to settle at 23,858.60, slipping below the 23,900 level.

The trading day began on a positive note but selling pressure intensified in the afternoon, particularly in information technology, automobile, and metal stocks. The Nifty IT index was the worst-performing sectoral index, dropping 2.23 percent. Major technology firms Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services were among the top drags on the indices, along with Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank. Analysts attributed the market's cautious tone to renewed geopolitical tensions ahead of the next round of U.S.-Iran negotiations scheduled for Doha, which investors are monitoring for diplomatic progress.

The declines were partially offset by gains in telecom, pharmaceutical, and select financial and infrastructure stocks. Bharti Airtel, Maruti Suzuki, and Bajaj Finance were among the top gainers,...