Indian stock markets ended Thursday’s session in the red after a volatile trading day, reflecting investor unease amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and concerns over U.S. monetary policy and global economic slowdown.
📉 Key Index Movements
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BSE Sensex fell 82.79 points to close at 81,361.87
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NSE Nifty50 dropped 18.80 points to finish at 24,793.25
🌍 Drivers Behind Market Volatility
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Geopolitical fears resurfaced over potential U.S. military involvement in the Middle East, impacting global risk appetite.
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The U.S. Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged but struck a hawkish tone by warning of persistent inflation and slower economic growth, pressuring export-heavy sectors like IT.
Vinod Nair of Geojit Investments noted that the market remained “rangebound with a negative bias” as global sentiment turned risk-averse.
📈 Top Gainers (Large-Caps)
| Stock | % Gain |
|---|---|
| Mahindra & Mahindra | +1.69% |
| Titan Company | +0.74% |
| Larsen & Toubro | +0.57% |
| Bharti Airtel | +0.56% |
| Maruti Suzuki | +0.45% |
📉 Top Losers (Large-Caps)
| Stock | % Loss |
|---|---|
| Adani Ports | -2.50% |
| Bajaj Finance | -2.08% |
| Tech Mahindra | -1.95% |
| IndusInd Bank | -1.54% |
| Nestle India | -1.28% |
🔍 Broader Market Performance
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Nifty Midcap: ↓ 1.63%
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Nifty Smallcap: ↓ 1.99%
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India VIX: ↓ 0.14% (signalling slightly lower volatility expectations)
While large-cap stocks held relatively stable, mid- and small-cap stocks came under significant pressure due to risk-off sentiment.
🏭 Sectoral Highlights
Only Two Sectors Ended in the Green:
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Nifty Pharma: ↑ 0.68%
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Nifty Auto: ↑ 0.52%
Sectors Deep in the Red:
| Sector | % Loss |
|---|---|
| Nifty PSU Bank | -2.04% |
| Nifty Smallcap | -1.99% |
| Nifty Media | -1.91% |
| Nifty Realty | -1.60% |
| Nifty Metal | -1.29% |
| Nifty IT | -0.94% |
| Nifty Consumer Durables | -0.91% |
| Nifty Financial Services | -0.68% |
| Nifty Healthcare | -0.65% |
| Nifty Oil & Gas | -0.64% |
| Nifty FMCG | -0.31% |
| Nifty Private Bank | -0.30% |
🧾 Outlook
Market watchers remain cautious amid:
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Elevated crude oil prices
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Ongoing global geopolitical risk
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Tightened financial conditions globally
Unless clarity emerges from the global front — particularly around the Middle East and Fed policy trajectory — Indian equities are likely to stay volatile in the near term, with large-caps preferred over broader markets due to their relative stability.
