Stock market today: BSE Sensex ends over 380 points down; Nifty50 below 24,700

Stock market today: Key stock indices Sensex and Nifty ended lower on Monday as investors exercised caution before the US Fed interest rate decision amidst weak global indicators. Trading sentiment was affected by selling in metal and IT sectors, combined with a weakening rupee and disappointing Chinese economic data.
The BSE Sensex fell 384.55 points or 0.47 per cent to close at 81,748.57, having dropped to 81,551.28 during trading hours.
The NSE Nifty decreased by 100.05 points or 0.40 per cent to 24,668.25.
"Domestic equities took cues from Asian and European indices and ended negative, as investors await the outcome of the US FOMC meeting on rate decision later this week.
"Although a rate cut is on the cards, there is a lack of confidence amongst the investors due to the sluggish Chinese economy and concerns ahead of Trump's decision on import tariffs on key economies," Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd told PTI.
Primary markets showed increased activity, with five IPO listings and seven new IPOs opening for subscription this week.
Major decliners in the Sensex included Titan, Adani Ports, UltraTech Cement, Tata Consultancy Services, NTPC, Bharti Airtel, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, Hindustan Unilever and JSW Steel.
The BSE midcap index rose 0.73 per cent, whilst the smallcap index advanced 0.47 per cent.
"The national market traded in a range-bound manner while the realty sector outperformed in expectation of growing demand and a potential rate cut cycle in 2025. Rising US 10-year bond yields and a strengthening dollar led investors to remain watchful of the upcoming US Fed policy and its commentary for 2025 rates," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services, said.
Amongst sectors, metal declined 0.95 per cent, teck decreased 0.82 per cent, oil & gas fell 0.75 per cent, BSE Focused IT dropped 0.74 per cent, and utilities lost 0.63 per cent.
Realty advanced 3.17 per cent, followed by consumer discretionary at 0.69 per cent, consumer durables at 0.50 per cent, capital goods at 0.38 per cent, and healthcare at 0.22 per cent.
"...the Nifty Metal index dropped...pressured by weak global prices and concerns over US-China trade dynamics. Weaker-than-expected retail sales data from China, a key consumer of metals, added to fears of slowing demand.
"Nifty IT snapped its five-day winning streak, shedding 0.9 per cent on account of profit booking. Nifty Realty gained more than 3 per cent, buoyed by new property launches and optimism surrounding strong housing demand in 2025," Siddhartha Khemka, Head - Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd.
Asian markets in Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong closed lower.
European markets traded in negative territory. Wall Street largely declined on Friday.
Wholesale price-based inflation fell to a three-month low of 1.89 per cent in November, driven by lower food prices.
India's merchandise exports decreased by 4.85 per cent to USD 32.11 billion in November compared to USD 33.75 billion the previous year.
The rupee weakened by 9 paise to close at 84.89 against the US dollar, marking a historic low.
FIIs purchased equities worth Rs 2,335.32 crore on Friday, as per exchange data.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, fell 0.75 per cent to USD 73.91 per barrel.
"There is heightened action in the primary markets with five IPO listings and seven new IPOs opening for subscription this week. We expect markets to consolidate within a broad range, as sentiments remain cautious ahead of US Fed and Bank of Japan's interest rate decision this week," Khemka said.