Stock market today, July 3 -- On Wednesday, 2 July, the Nifty 50 slipped 0.35%, dragged down by sustained selling in realty, banking, and financial stocks. The index had been consolidating within the 25,500-25,700 range for the past three sessions, but today's close below 25,500 marks a shift in momentum, giving the bears an edge.

Broader market performance was mixed, while a drop in India VIX pointed to easing intraday volatility.

On Wednesday, the Nifty 50 declined 88.40 points, or 0.35%, to settle at 25,453.40. After a muted start, persistent selling in heavyweight stocks dragged the index below 25,400 during intraday trade. A modest recovery in the second half of the session helped limit the losses by the close.

Among sectoral indi...