The Indian equity markets ended lower on March 18, 2026, with benchmark indices witnessing selling pressure across key sectors. The Nifty 50 closed at 23,777.80, down 196.65 points or 0.83%, while the Sensex declined 633.29 points or 0.83% to settle at 76,704.13. Bank Nifty also slipped 0.82%, reflecting broad-based weakness.
Losses were primarily led by FMCG and pharmaceutical stocks, which dominated the list of top laggards in the Nifty 50 index.
Top Nifty 50 Losers (March 18, 2026)
Hindustan Unilever closed at ₹2,134.5, down 1.1%.
Coal India closed at ₹457.2, down 1.1%.
Cipla closed at ₹1,268.5, down 1.1%.
NTPC closed at ₹379.8, down 0.9%.
Sun Pharmaceutical closed at ₹1,781.5, down 0.7%.
Tata Consumer Products closed at ₹1,071.0, down 0.7%.
Apollo Hospitals closed at ₹7,460.0, down 0.5%.
Hindalco Industries closed at ₹931.8, down 0.5%.
Nestle India closed at ₹1,202.5, down 0.4%.
ITC closed at ₹304.0, down 0.3%.
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