Benchmarks end with minor losses; banks drag

The equity benchmarks ended flat as early gains fizzled, with profit booking after record highs led by banking and FMCG stocks, while IT stocks remained strong. Investors focus on key US data, including jobs figures and the Fed Chair's speech. The S&P BSE Sensex fell 34.74 points to 79,441.45, and the Nifty 50 lost 18.10 points to 24,123.85. Tata Motors, SBI, ICICI Bank, and Bajaj Finance were major drags. The broader market saw the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index decline 0.57% while the Small-Cap index rose 0.07%. Positive market breadth had 1965 shares rising and 1953 falling. The NSE's India VIX declined 1.37% to 13.64. The rupee edged lower against the dollar, hovering at 83.5050.