Mumbai, Aug. 19 -- Key benchmark indices extended their losing streak on Wednesday as elevated crude oil prices, higher global bond yields and persistent geopolitical uncertainty kept investors cautious. The Nifty settled below the 24,100 level. The broader market remained under pressure, with both midcap and smallcap indices ending lower. Most sectoral indices closed in the red, led by weakness in defence and energy stocks, while IT shares bucked the trend and gained amid bargain hunting. Brent crude remained elevated near $92 a barrel as uncertainty over the US-Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz kept supply concerns in focus.

The S&P BSE Sensex dropped 325.78 points or 0.42% to 76,909.68. The Nifty 50 index lost 76.60 points or 0.3...