Buy or sell stocks, March 8 -- The key benchmark indices of the Indian stock market ended the week on a weak note, pressured by negative global cues and escalating geopolitical tensions following the latest developments between the USA and Iran. The Nifty 50 declined by nearly 3% to close at 24,450.

Sectorally, the market witnessed broad-based selling, with Oil & Gas, Realty, Cement, and Automobile stocks tumbling more than 5% each during the week. Overall sectoral performance remained under pressure as investors preferred profit-taking amid rising uncertainty over the US-Iran war. The chemical sector, however, stood out as the only segment to close in the green, gaining nearly 3% despite the broader market weakness.

Ganesh Dongre, Seni...