Mumbai, March 12 -- The domestic equity indices ended with minor cuts on Wednesday as investors awaited for domestic economic data and the U.S. consumer price inflation report. The Nifty settled below the 22,500 level after hitting the day's high of 22,577.40 in early trade.

IT, realty and media shares declined while private bank, financial services and auto stocks edged higher.

As per provisional closing, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, shed 72.56 points or 0.10% to 74,029.76. The Nifty 50 index lost 27.40 points or 0.12%, to 22,470.50.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index slipped 0.57% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index declined 0.48%.

The market breadth was weak. On the BSE, 1,498 shares rose and 2,484 shares fell...