Markets Snap Gains: Sensex Down 161 Points Amid Global Weakness, Oil Rally

Profit-taking gripped Dalal Street on the week’s final trading day, pushing benchmark indices into negative territory after a volatile session influenced by feeble international markets, crude oil’s sharp rebound, and rupee’s record slump against the greenback. The BSE Sensex closed 160.73 points lower at 75,237.99 (down 0.21%), while Nifty 50 ended at 23,643.50, off by 46.10 points (0.19%). This snapped domestic bourses’ two-day winning run.

Intraday swings were pronounced: Sensex opened at 75,497.10, hit 75,870.36 high, and probed 75,139.41 low. Nifty opened 23,731.40, reached 23,839.30 peak, and sank to 23,610.30.

Across the board, Nifty Midcap fell 0.45%, Smallcap 0.61%. Sectors like metals, PSU banks, realty, and oil & gas bled over 1%, while media soared 1.98%, IT rose 1.30%, with FMCG, pharma, and auto (marginally) also positive.

Nifty 50’s top risers were TMPV, Dr. Reddy’s, Infosys, Coal India, Tech Mahindra, Kotak Bank, Power Grid, Maruti Suzuki, Bharti Airtel, and Wipro. Major draggers included Hindalco, Eternal, Nestle India, Tata Steel, Reliance, UltraTech Cement, and M&M.

BSE’s aggregate market cap dipped to 460.5 lakh crore rupees from 462.9 lakh crore, erasing 2.4 lakh crore in value. Brent crude futures climbed 2.9% to $108.8 per barrel, stoking inflation worries.

Experts highlight interconnected global risks: weakening demand signals from major economies, dollar strength pressuring emerging markets, and energy volatility from ongoing conflicts. As markets digest these headwinds, upcoming inflation data, GDP figures, and central bank rhetoric will be pivotal in shaping investor confidence moving forward.