Mumbai, Nov. 8 -- Indian equity benchmarks ended marginally lower during the special Muhurat trading session on Sunday, even as the return of foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) and expectations of sustained corporate earnings growth supported the outlook for the new Samvat year.

The BSE Sensex opened at 81,299.34 and closed at 80,999.40, down 28.62 points or 0.04 per cent, while the NSE Nifty 50 began the session at 25,070.45 and settled at 24,986.40, lower by 43.95 points or 0.18 per cent.

Market expert Avinash Agarwal said the outlook for the coming Samvat remained constructive, although returns could be moderate and selective. He expects corporate earnings growth, rather than an expansion in valuations, to drive market performance. ...