Mumbai, Feb. 14 -- The domestic equity benchmarks declined for an eighth straight session on Friday, with the Nifty closing below 22,950 after reaching a high of 23,133.70. Persistent FII selling and weak Q3 earnings dampened investor confidence, overshadowing earlier optimism from easing Russia-Ukraine tensions, a US tariff delay, and hopes of trade talks between Indian and US leaders. Concerns about reciprocal US tariffs and a potential global trade war persist. The BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices were particularly hard hit, each falling over 3%. All the sectoral indices on the NSE ended in the red. Media, pharma and healthcare stocks were under pressure.

The S&P BSE Sensex declined 199.76 points or 0.26% to 75,939.21. The Nifty 50 ind...