Markets traded lackluster and ended marginally in the red, extending the ongoing consolidation phase. After a flat start, the Nifty edged higher initially but failed to sustain the momentum, primarily due to pressure from heavyweight stocks. It then moved within a narrow range and eventually settled at 24,812.05. Sectoral trends mirrored the broader market, with auto and banking ending slightly in the green, while IT, metal, and FMCG slipped lower. The broader indices also declined by nearly half a percent, continuing the profit-taking trend.