Stock market today, May 18 -- The domestic benchmark indices, Nifty 50 and Sensex, opened sharply lower on Monday, 18 May, while the rupee slipped to a fresh record low, after crude oil prices surged following a drone attack on a nuclear power facility in the United Arab Emirates, escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Investor sentiment also weakened after US President Donald Trump warned that "the clock is ticking" for Iran, signalling stalled diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict.

The Nifty 50 declined 1.1% to 23,391.9, while the Sensex dropped 1.16% to 74,374.04 in early trade.

Selling pressure was broad-based, with all 16 major sectoral indices trading in the red. The broader market also saw sharp weakness, with smal...