The stock market is facing a downward trend today, with the advance decline ratio across BSE500 at 0.44x. This means that for every 1 stock that is advancing, there are 2 stocks declining. The small cap, BSE100, and midcap caps are all falling by 0.75%, 0.82%, and 1.15% respectively.

In terms of top gainers in the BSE500, Swan Energy is leading the pack with an increase of 8.78%, followed by ZF Commercial at 7.40% and Jamna Auto Inds. at 6.21%. On the other hand, the top losers include Oil India at -8.10%, HPCL at -8.03%, and I O C L at -7.39%.

Investors are also keeping an eye on the upcoming result of Juniper Hotels on 18th March 2024. The Sensex opened 210.51 points lower and has fallen by 315.99 points to 72,570.78, a decrease of 0.72%. It is currently 2.31% away from its 52-week high of 74,245.17. However, it is trading above its 50-day moving average (DMA), with the 50 DMA trading above the 200 DMA.

While small caps are trading flat today, there are some notable gainers in the large cap and mid cap categories. UPL is the top gainer in the large cap category with an increase of 2.62%, while Aditya Bir. Fas. is leading the mid cap category with a gain of 5.12%. In the small cap category, Cressanda Railwa is the top gainer with an impressive increase of 9.99%. On the other hand, I O C L, Oil India, and ITI are the top losers in the large cap, mid cap, and small cap categories respectively.

Out of the 40 sectors, only 3 are advancing today while 37 are declining. The top losing sector is NIFTYPSE with a decrease of 5.34%, while the top gaining sector is NIFTYFMCG with a slight increase of 0.28%.

The SENSEX is currently trading at 72,628.51 with a loss of 468.77 points, a decrease of 0.64%. Investors are advised to keep a close watch on the market and make informed decisions based on the current trends.