Stock markets end lower led by heavy selling in private banking stocks

New Delhi, July 20 -- Indian stock markets on Monday ended lower led by heavy selling in private banking stocks after their June-quarter earnings and weak global cues.

At close, the Sensex was down 442.93 points or 0.57 percent at 77,708.52, and the Nifty was down 95.80 points or 0.39 percent at 24,238.50. Nifty midcap index added 0.6 percent and smallcap index ended marginally in the green.

Among the sectors, Nifty PSU Bank emerged as the top performer, gaining 2.8%. It was followed by Nifty Pharma up by 1.4%, Nifty Media up by 1%, Nifty Energy up by 1%, Nifty Metal up 0.86%, Nifty Oil & Gas up by 0.62%, Nifty Infrastructure gained 0.7%, Nifty FMCG 0.6% and Nifty Consumer Durables up by 0.72%.

The sectoral losers were Nifty Private Bank...