June 18 (Reuters) -

STOCKS:

The benchmark BSE Sensex was down 0.17% at 81,444.66,

while the broader NSE Nifty 50 index declined 0.17% to

24,812.05 as escalating hostilities in the Middle East dampened

investor sentiment ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary

policy decision.

RUPEE:

The Indian rupee dropped 0.34% versus the U.S. dollar

to 86.4775, on the back of persistent corporate hedging activity

and elevated oil prices as market participants continued to fret

over escalating hostilities in the Middle East.

GOVERNMENT BONDS:

The benchmark 10-year bond was quoted at 100.4925

rupees, with the yield flat at 6.2612%, as traders kept a close

eye on moves in oil prices after the Israel-Iran conflict

entered its sixth day.

OVERNIGHT INDEX SWAPS:

The one-year overnight index swap rate was

flat at 5.49%, while the five-year swap rate

little changed at 5.6975%.

CALL MONEY:

India's overnight call money rate was at 5.28% and

the overnight TREPS rate was at 5.17%.

(Reporting by Manvi Pant in Bengaluru)