Geopolitical flare-ups in the Middle East sent Indian equities tumbling at open on Thursday, erasing Wednesday’s robust rally. Iran’s claims of US ceasefire violations ignited a fresh oil price surge, denting sentiment and dragging the Sensex down over 400 points early in the session.
Opening figures showed the BSE Sensex at 77,319.33, a 243.57-point slide from 77,562.90. Nifty50 opened at 23,909.05, shedding 88.3 points from 23,997.35. Around 9:40 AM, losses mounted: Sensex at 77,118.49 (-444.41 points, -0.57%) and Nifty at 23,895.90 (-101.45 points, -0.42%).
Midcap and Smallcap indices dipped modestly by 0.13% and 0.02%, respectively. Metals and Pharma sectors held firm, but IT plunged 1.17%, with Auto, Financial Services, Banking, and Realty also in retreat.
Nifty 50 laggards featured Infosys, L&T, Eternal, Jio Financial, HCL Tech, Indigo, and Shriram Finance, while gainers like Hindalco, Max Health, NTPC, Bajaj Auto, BEL, and Power Grid provided some relief.
Brent crude jumped 3.31% to $97.89/barrel, WTI rose 4.2% to $98.38, amplifying concerns. Trump’s ceasefire bid faltered amid Israel’s devastating Lebanon assault and Iran’s retaliatory rhetoric. Tehran labeled US talks ‘inappropriate,’ continued Gulf strikes, and restricted Hormuz Strait access despite safety pledges—a chokepoint for world oil flows.
Experts advise traders to stay vigilant: buy dips at supports, shun high-level longs. With inflation risks looming from supply disruptions, the road ahead looks bumpy for bulls.
