-- Indian benchmark indices closed marginally lower on Thursday as profit booking in select large stocks offset early optimism.
The BSE Sensex slipped 122.56 points, or 0.2%, to finish at 77,988.68, while the NSE Nifty 50 fell 34.55 points, or 0.1%, to close at 24,196.75.
Sentiment remained mildly supported by expectations of a second round of US-Iran talks aimed at easing the ongoing conflict. Uncertainty over timing, however, kept investors cautious.
On the macro side, India's Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation rose to 3.88% in March, up from 2.13% in February, according to government data released late on Wednesday. Goods and services exports also declined 4.58% year-on-year to $74.11 billion in March.
Among stocks, HDFC Asset Management Company (NSE:HDFCAMC, BOM:541729) reported a slight dip in consolidated profit to 6.23 billion rupees in Q4 FY26 from 6.38 billion rupees a year earlier. Revenue from operations rose to 10.5 billion rupees from 9.01 billion rupees, according to its filing.
Alembic Pharmaceuticals (NSE:APLLTD, BOM:533573) gained after receiving US FDA approval for Methotrexate Injection in both multi-dose and single-dose vials. The drug is used in cancer treatment as well as autoimmune conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.