Sensex, Nifty end lower for 3rd straight session

Benchmark stock market indices ended lower for the third straight session as metal and private banking stocks faltered.

Indian shares closed lower for a third straight session on Thursday, dragged by metals and private banking stocks, but they recorded this year's best quarterly gain and a fifth consecutive monthly jump.

The blue-chip NSE Nifty 50 index ended 0.53% lower at 17,618.15 on Thursday, while the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex fell 0.48% to 59,126.36.