Mumbai, Oct. 1 -- The key equity benchmarks ended sharply lower today, extending their decline for the fourth consecutive session. Intensified foreign institutional investor (FII) selling, rising US bond yields and a weakening rupee weighed on investor sentiment. The sentiment remained subdued amid elevated crude oil prices and continued uncertainty surrounding the US-Iran conflict. The Nifty settled below the 22,450 level, while broader markets also declined. Auto and metal stocks fell, while IT shares bucked the weak market trend.

The Sensex declined 570.59 points or 0.79% to 71,909.70. The Nifty 50 index tumbled 198.50 points or 0.88% to 22,421.95. In the four consecutive trading sessions, the Sensex and Nifty declined 2.69% and 3.11%...