Mumbai, April 26 -- Domestic stock market took a breather today, ending a five-day winning run. Investors cashed in profits after US economic data showed a slowdown in growth coupled with stubborn inflation. The Nifty fell below 22,450, despite early gains. While consumer durables and media shares found buyers, banking and financials took a hit.

The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex dropped 609.28 points or 0.82% to 73,730.16. The Nifty 50 index declined 150.40 points or 0.67% to 22,419.95.

Bajaj Finance (down 7.73%), Bajaj Finserv (down 3.55%) and Nestle India (down 3.08%) were major drags.

The broader market outperformed the frontline indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.83% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index added 0.27%.

The ma...