Indian equities ended September on a weak note, with the Sensex closing at 72,480.29, down 48.78 points, and the Nifty 50 at 22,620.45, down 95.75 points.

The benchmarks are poised to record their worst nine-month stretch since the COVID crash, pressured by relentless foreign selling, a weak rupee near 95.97 to the dollar, and global rate uncertainty.

Foreign portfolio investors sold around Rs 6,800 crore of Indian equities in September, according to NSDL data, while the India 10-year bond yield hovered near 7.15 per cent.

Domestic flows have provided some cushion, but benchmark indices remain well below their highs as investors await clearer signals from global central banks and corporate earnings.

Market strategists say the October-December quarter will be crucial for determining whether the long correction has run its course.

Technical analysts said the Nifty needs to reclaim key moving averages to signal a trend reversal, with 23,000 acting as the immediate resistance level to watch.