Mumbai, Aug. 22 -- The headline equity indices ended with sharp losses today, snapping six-day winning spree, as investors booked profits despite of optimism around Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms. Investors adopted a wait-and-watch approach ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's policy remarks at the Jackson Hole symposium later in the day. Nifty closed below 24,850 mark.

Metal, banking and FMCG shares declined while media and pharma stocks advanced.

As per provisional closing data, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, declined 693.86 points or 0.85% to 81,306.85. The Nifty 50 index fell 213.65 points or 0.85% to 24,870.10.

The broader market outperformed the frontline indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index dropped 0.23%...