Sensex Today | Nifty 50 | Stock Market Live Updates: GIFT Nifty signals a positive start; Asian shares trade higher

Indian markets closed sharply lower on Tuesday, with the Sensex falling 561 points to 77,055 and the Nifty 50 declining 159 points, or 0.7 percent, to 24,052, erasing nearly Rs 3 lakh crore in BSE market capitalisation. GIFT Nifty was trading 31 points higher at 24,045.50, signaling a positive start for Wednesday as softer US inflation data boosted Asian markets. Concerns persist over Brent crude holding above 85 dollars a barrel, renewed FII selling, escalating West Asia tensions, and sectoral weakness led by Auto, PSU Bank, IT and Realty, while the June-quarter earnings season remains the key trigger.