Mumbai, Oct. 28 -- The key equity benchmarks ended marginally lower on Wednesday, extending their losing streak to a second consecutive session. Elevated crude oil prices and weakness in heavyweight stocks weighed on market sentiment. Investors remained cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision later in the day, seeking clarity on the interest rate outlook and its implications for global markets. The Nifty settled below the 22,700 mark. Oil & gas and IT stocks declined, while auto and consumer durables shares advanced.

The S&P BSE Sensex declined 352.64 points or 0.48% to 73,246.03. The Nifty 50 index fell 50.90 points or 0.22% to 22,698.85. In the two consecutive trading sessions, the Sensex and the Nifty dropp...