Mumbai, June 23 -- The domestic equity benchmarks ended with significant losses today, weighed down by ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Media, consumer durables and metal shares advanced while IT, auto and FMCG shares declined. The Nifty settled below the 25,000 level.

As per provisional closing data, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, tanked 511.38 points or 0.62% to 81,896.79. The Nifty 50 index slipped 140.50 points or 0.56% to 24,971.90.

The broader market outperformed the frontline indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.20% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index added 0.57%.

The market breadth was negative. On the BSE, 1,862 shares rose and 2,195 shares fell. A total of 183 shares were unchanged.

The NSE's India VIX, a gau...