Indian equity benchmarks struggled for direction on Tuesday before closing lower, as markets see-sawed between optimism that the Reserve Bank of India will pause rate hikes after Wednesday, and worries that the Fed was likely to keep upping rates for longer.

Dear Trader… Markets traded volatile for yet another session and shed nearly half a percent.  After the flat start, the Nifty future index traded with a negative tone in the first half however rebound in select index majors in the latter half trimmed some losses. Consequently, it ended at 17,782.65