The trends on Gift Nifty also indicate a flat start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 22,960 level, a discount of nearly 12 points from the Nifty futures’ previous close.

The Nifty 50 and Sensex indices extended their losing streak on February 17, marking the ninth consecutive session of declines.

The Indian equity markets began the week on a negative note. The benchmark indices plunged on Monday morning as foreign investors continued to withdraw from the domestic markets and corporate earnings slowed down.