Indian markets extend losses for third consecutive session

Indian equity markets closed lower on Wednesday as FII selling, uncertainty over US-Iran negotiations and rising US Treasury yields weighed on sentiment. **Market closing** * **Sensex:** 72,480.29, down 48.78 points (-0.07%). * **Nifty 50:** 22,620.45, down 95.75 points (-0.42%). * **Nifty range:** 22,595.20–22,809.35. * **Market breadth:** 17 stocks advanced, 32 declined and one remained unchanged. **Sectoral performance** Realty (+1.42%), Bankex (+0.68%) and Telecom (+0.54%) gained, while Healthcare (-2.35%), Consumer Durables (-1.43%) and Metal (-1.24%) witnessed selling pressure. **Top Nifty movers** * **Gainers:** Kotak Mahindra Bank (+2.71%), InterGlobe Aviation (+2.30%) and ICICI Bank (+2.28%). * **Losers:** Apollo Hospitals (-5.70%), Max Healthcare (-5.33%) and BSE (-3.38%). **Key market drivers** 1. **FII selling:** Foreign investors offloaded equities worth ₹9,980.22 crore on Tuesday. 2. **Global uncertainty:** Rising US Treasury yields and inflation concerns kept investors cautious. 3. **Healthcare weakness:** Heavy selling in Apollo Hospitals and Max Healthcare dragged the index lower. 4. **Economic resilience:** July services data showed double-digit growth in 10 of 19 sub-sectors, providing a positive domestic signal. **What to watch next** Nifty's immediate support is near 22,595, while resistance stands at 22,809. FII flows, US inflation data, crude oil prices and geopolitical developments remain key triggers. **Analytical view: CAUTIOUS** Three consecutive sessions of losses and weak market breadth indicate continued selling pressure. Selective strength in banking and realty suggests that opportunities remain sector-specific. **Learning outcome:** Market direction should be assessed through sectoral performance, breadth, institutional flows and global cues rather than relying solely on index closing levels.