Key benchmark Sensex plummeted 179 points on Thursday, weighed by losses in index heavyweights HDFC (Housing), HDFC bank,  ICICI Bank and Axis Bank amid a tepid trend in global equities.

The 30-share BSE barometer ended 178.65 points lower at 52,323.33. The broader NSE Nifty declined 76.15 points to 15,691.40. IndusInd Bank was the top loser in the Sensex pack, followed by Dr Reddy's, NTPC, Maruti, Axis Bank, Bajaj Auto, Bharti Airtel and HDFC. On the other hand, UltraTech Cement, TCS, Asian Paints and Infosys were among the gainers.

Among the Nifty sectoral indices, weakness continued in all of the sectors excpt FMCG and IT sectors. Metal pack has been the loser in today's session with a fall of over 2 percent, followed by realty and PSU bank space. Nifty Bank and Nifty Midcap 100 underperformed the headline indices with a drag of over 1 percent on each of the indices.

The Fed's policymakers said they would raise their benchmark short-term rate, which influences many consumer and business loans, twice by late 2023. They had previously estimated that no rate hike would occur before 2024.

Meanwhile International oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.09 percent higher at $74.46 per barrel.

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