India’s BSE Sensex gave up early gains to finish about 0.2% lower at 77,989 on Thursday, as investors took profits after strong advances in the previous two sessions. Sentiment was also buffeted by ongoing volatility linked to the weekly expiry of Sensex derivatives. At the same time, traders remained cautiously optimistic that the conflict in the Middle East may be nearing a resolution, closely tracking developments in US-Iran negotiations and the potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Sector-wise, banking, financials, and healthcare stocks underperformed, while IT and metal shares posted gains.