Mumbai/IBNS, March 30 -- The Indian equity benchmarks ended sharply lower on Monday, extending losses from the previous session amid sustained selling pressure, media reports said.

Nearly Rs.10 lakh crore was wiped out from BSE-listed companies as investor sentiment remained weak, largely due to rising crude oil prices triggered by the ongoing West Asia conflict.

Banking and financial stocks led the decline, with shares of HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and State Bank of India falling nearly 5 percent.

The Indian rupee also weakened further, breaching the 95 mark and hitting a record low of 95.22 against the US dollar.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from India Blooms....