Key benchmark indices closed lower on Thursday driven by board base selling across sectors. All the sectoral indices ended in the red with Nifty Metal, Nifty PSU Bank, Nifty Pharma, and Nifty Financial Services falling the most.

At close, the BSE Sensex fell 485.82 points, to close at 52,568.94, while the NSE Nifty settled 151.75 points lower at 15,727.90. Broader markets, smallcap and midcap indices also dipped to selling pressure.

Tata Motors, JSW Steel, Bajaj Auto, Hindalco Industries and ONGC were among the top laggards on the Nifty. On the other hand Tech Mahindra, SBI Life Insurance, Eicher Motors, IndusInd Bank and Shree Cements.  Sector-wise, BSE metal, basic materials, bankex,  finance and auto indices fell up to 2.43%, while utilities and power indices ended with gains. 

Global investor sentiment was also weighed by the minutes of Federal Reserve's June policy meeting, which showed that the US central bank is mulling tapering its asset purchases as soon as this year.

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