Stock Market Highlights: Sensex sheds 332 points for fifth consecutive day; Nifty closes below 23,800; $BAJFINANCE , $ETERNAL al tumble 2%

Synopsis: Stock Market Highlights: Indian equity benchmarks extended their downward trend for a fifth straight session on Friday. Despite recovering from steep intraday losses of over 1%, the Sensex and Nifty ended nearly 0.4% lower as soaring crude oil prices, persistent foreign institutional selling and weak global sentiment dampened investor confidence. The weakness was visible across most sectors, with FMCG and Pharma being the only indices to finish in positive territory. Nifty Realty emerged as the biggest laggard, declining 1.49%, followed by losses in Auto, Metal, Oil & Gas and Financial Services. Banking stocks also traded under pressure, with the Nifty Bank and Nifty Private Bank indices closing lower amid broad-based selling in financial counters. Broader markets mirrored the cautious mood, as investors reduced risk exposure amid concerns over elevated oil prices, inflationary risks, sustained foreign capital outflows and lingering uncertainty over the global economic and geopolitical landscape. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing,