Mumbai, Aug. 18 -- The headline equity benchmarks ended with substantial losses on Tuesday, weighed down by renewed geopolitical concerns in the Middle East and a surge in crude oil prices following the expiry of the US-Iran ceasefire, while uncertainty over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz further dampened investor sentiment. The Nifty also remained under pressure amid volatility surrounding the weekly Nifty 50 derivatives expiry and settled below the 24,200 level. IT, realty and PSU bank stocks declined, while media, auto and healthcare shares advanced.

As per provisional closing data, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex dropped 492.70 points or 0.63% to 77,235.46. The Nifty 50 index lost 132.75 points or 0.55% to 24,154.90. T...