Sensex, Nifty Slip Into Red In Choppy Trade

The Indian equity benchmarks slipped into the red after opening higher on Friday, dragged by consumer durables stocks.

Asian shares traded on a choppy note amid hawkish U.S. monetary policy and ongoing fluctuations in commodity markets due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Crude oil eased as the United States and allies considered releasing more oil from storage to cool markets. Brent crude fell 0.22 per cent to $118.77 per barrel and U.S. crude was down 0.5 per cent to $111.74 a barrel, but prices were still very high by historic standards.

Back home, the 30-share BSE Sensex fell 138 points or 0.24 per cent to 57,460, while the broader NSE Nifty moved 38 points or 0.22 per cent down to 17,185.

Mid- and small-cap shares were trading on a positive note as Nifty Midcap 100 index rose 0.37 per cent and small-cap shares surged 0.67 per cent.