Buy or sell stocks, Dec. 3 -- The key benchmark indices of the Indian stock market edged lower on the weekly expiry day, losing over half a percent and extending the ongoing consolidation phase. After a soft start, the Nifty 50 index drifted gradually through the session and settled near the day's low at 26,032, marking a decline of around 0.43% from the previous close of 26,176. The BSE Sensex shed 503 points and closed at 85,138, while the Bank Nifty index lost 407 points and closed at 59,273.

Sectorally, most indices moved in line with the benchmark, with banking, financials, and metals among the top losers. The broader market tone also remained subdued, as both mid-cap and small-cap indices ended in the red.

Vaishali Parekh, Vice Pr...