Indian Stock Markets End Deep in Red!

Indian benchmark indices ended sharply lower for the third consecutive trading session amid rising global tensions and surging crude oil prices. Investor sentiment turned negative after former US President Donald Trump reportedly rejected Iran’s peace proposals, increasing fears of fresh instability in West Asia. At the same time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent calls for reducing fuel consumption and limiting gold purchases also weighed on market sentiment. The Sensex plunged 1,312.91 points to close at 76,015.28, while the Nifty dropped 360.30 points to settle below the 23,850 mark.

The total market capitalization of BSE-listed companies reportedly declined by nearly ₹6 lakh crore to ₹467 lakh crore. Stocks such as Titan, Indigo, SBI, Bharti Airtel and Eternal witnessed heavy losses, while Sun Pharma, Hindustan Unilever, Adani Ports, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Axis Bank ended with gains. Analysts attributed the market weakness to rising Brent crude prices nearing 105 dollars per barrel, the rupee falling to 95.34 against the US dollar, foreign fund outflows and uncertainty surrounding global geopolitical developments.