Indian Equities Start Day Lower
2026-03-06 04:23
By
Jereli Escobar
1 min. read
India’s BSE Sensex fell around 0.4% to 79,704 in morning trade on Friday, retreating from gains in the previous session as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East lifted oil prices and dampened global risk appetite.
Crude prices surged to a 20-month high amid fears that the widening conflict could disrupt energy supplies and shipping routes in the region, raising concerns about renewed inflationary pressures and widening fiscal deficits.
However, the US issued a 30-day waiver permitting purchases of Russian crude cargoes already in transit, offering temporary relief to supply concerns.
Sectors posted losses, including financials, consumer durables, communications, and industrials.
Among early laggards were InterGlobe (-2.4%), Larsen & Toubro (-1.5%), ICICI Bank (-1.7%), HDFC Bank (-1.3%), and BSE Ltd (-0.6%).
In early trading, the index is down 2% for the week.