Mumbai, Jan. 21 -- The key equity barometers ended with modest cuts today amid persistent foreign fund outflows, uneven corporate earnings and lingering global trade and geopolitical concerns. A sharp rise in the India VIX signaled elevated volatility as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of key Q3 earnings and cues from the World Economic Forum.

The Nifty settled below the 25,200 level. Consumer durables, PSU bank and private bank stocks declined, while metal and oil & gas advanced.

As per provisional closing data, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, dropped 270.84 points or 0.33% to 81,909.63. The Nifty 50 index lost 75 points or 0.30% to 25,157.50.

The broader market underperformed the frontline indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Ca...