Stock market update, Aug. 18 -- Indian equity benchmarks extended their losing run to a fifth straight session on Monday, weighed down by a fresh spike in crude oil prices.

Nifty 50 fell 78.35 points, or 0.32%, to close at 24,287.65, while Sensex declined 281.09 points, or 0.36%, to settle at 77,728.16. IT emerged as the biggest drag, with Infosys, HCL Technologies, TCS, and Tech Mahindra all falling more than 1% as the sector's weekly weakness persisted. PSU Banks, FMCG, and Financial Services stocks also came under selling pressure.

Auto, metal, pharma, and healthcare stocks offered some resistance and ended the session with marginal gains, led by Hindalco, Titan, Bajaj Finance, and HDFC Life Insurance. Renewed uncertainty over the St...