Sensex Slumps 927 Points, Nifty Below 23,100 As Crude Stays Above USD 100 Per Barrel

Benchmark stock indices BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty tumbled sharply in early trade on Friday, snapping a two-day rally amid weak global cues and rising geopolitical tensions. The 30-share BSE Sensex fell 926.92 points to 74,346.53, while the 50-share NSE Nifty declined 280.95 points to 23,025.50 in early trading. The sharp fall reflects cautious investor sentiment as global uncertainties weigh heavily on markets.

Market participants remained wary due to the ongoing tensions linked to the US-Iran conflict, which continues to impact global financial stability. Adding to concerns, crude oil prices have surged above $100 per barrel, raising fears of inflation and increased import costs for India.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) also continued their selling streak, further dampening market sentiment. Persistent outflows have made investors more risk-averse, contributing to the downward trend in equities.

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Among Sensex stocks, major laggards included Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, Reliance Industries, InterGlobe Aviation, and Bajaj Finserv. On the other hand, gainers included Tata Consultancy Services, HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra, and Trent.

In broader Asian markets, indices such as the Kospi and Nikkei 225 were trading lower, while the Shanghai Composite and Hang Seng showed mixed trends. Meanwhile, US markets had ended sharply lower in the previous session, further influencing investor sentiment globally.

Also Read: Trump’s Pause on Iran Strikes Sends Oil Lower, Markets Wary