Despite a 25-basis-point repo rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India, the market closed largely in the red. However, midcap stocks continued to outperform, with the midcap index closing in positive territory.

The trends on Gift Nifty indicate a mildly positive start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 23,715 level, a premium of nearly 25 points from the Nifty futures’ previous close.

The Nifty 50 has dropped 4.4 per cent since the last policy meeting in December, impacted by weak corporate earnings and a slowing economy.