Markets close lower; Banking stocks underperform

Markets traded with a negative throughout the day as across the board selling pressure weighed in. Bank Nifty index underperformed Nifty index by ~0.75% with both the indices closing in the red.

Stocks like IndusInd Bank, Gail & Infratel were among the top Nifty underperformers, closing around intraday lows. Nifty PSU Bank index closed around intraday lows, ~2.5% lower led by a strong selloff seen in SBI.

The market breadth ended in favour of declines with the advance/decline ratio of Nifty50 closing at 1:2x.

Nifty and Bank Nifty futures added short positions.

On the options front (February 20, 2019 expiry), across the board call option writing was seen as both Nifty and Bank Nifty indices traded lower. India Vix index closed at 13.65, up ~2%  
 

Top 2 F&O Gainers:	YESBANK & BHARTIAIRTEL
Top 2 F&O Losers:	IDEA & INFRATEL
Nifty	-61 @12,114
Bank Nifty	-395 @30,835