New Delhi, June 18 -- Indian stock markets closed lower for the second straight session on Wednesday, June 18, as escalating tensions between Israel and Iran weighed on sentiment. Investor caution ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy decision also contributed to the subdued mood.

The Sensex ended 139 points, or 0.17 per cent, lower at 81,444.66, while the Nifty 50 settled at 24,812.05, down 41 points, or 0.17 per cent. The BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices fell 0.34 per cent each.

The across-segment selling dragged the overall market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms to nearly Rs.446 lakh crore from Rs.448 lakh crore in the previous session, making investors poorer by about Rs.2 lakh crore in a single day.

(This is a developing stor...