Mumbai, May 13 -- The key equity indices ended with major cuts today amid profit booking, rising U.S. yields, and weakness in heavyweights, as easing U.S.-China tensions and higher crude prices failed to lift sentiment. The Nifty ended below the 24,600 level. IT, FMCG, and auto sectors witnessed declines, whereas media, PSU banks, and pharma stocks saw gains.

As per provisional closing data, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, tumbled 1,281.68 points or 1.55% to 81,148.22. The Nifty 50 index tanked 346.35 points or 1.39% to 24,578.35.

The broader market outperformed the frontline indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.17% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index gained 0.99%.

The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 2,562 shares rose ...