Sensex Closes Sharply Lower, Posts Steep Weekly Loss

India’s BSE Sensex slipped nearly 2% to close at 74,563.9 on Friday, a low level last seen in March 2025, extending losses for the third session. Investor confidence stayed weak, reflecting uncertainty in global energy markets amid a second week of unresolved Middle East tensions. Sustained foreign outflows have added to market pressure, with overseas funds reducing their exposure amid rising global risks. Foreign investors have offloaded around $49 billion of Indian stocks so far this month, marking the largest outflow since January 2025. Looking at sectors, losses were broad-based. On equities, Larsen & Toubro (-7.5%), Tata Steel (-5.2%), UltraTech Cement (-4.4%), SBI (-3.6%), Maruti (-3.3%) and Bharat Electronics (-3.1%) were among the prominent laggards. On the other hand, defensive stocks Hindustan Unilever and Bharti Airtel were the only gainers, rising 1.2% and 0.3%, respectively. The index lost over 5% for the week, registering its biggest weekly loss in four years.

The SENSEX Index dropped -1470 points or 1.93 percent on Friday to close at 74564 points. Losses were led by Larsen & Toubro (-7.39%), Tata Steel (-5.31%) and Tata Motors (-3.19%).

India’s BSE Sensex fell around 0.8% to below 75,416 on Friday, marking its third consecutive session of losses to its lowest levels since April 2025. The index is also down 4.4% for the week, on track for its largest weekly decline since late 2024.The downturn reflects persistent geopolitical tensions from the US Israel conflict with Iran and surging oil prices, which have raised concerns over rising inflation, a wider fiscal deficit, and slower economic growth. Foreign investors have also sold about $49 billion of Indian stocks in March, the biggest outflow since January 2025. India inflation also rose to an eleven-month high of 3.21% in February, up from 2.74% in January and above expectations of 3.1%, reflecting a return to more normal levels after last year’s unusually low food-driven readings. Most stock sectors traded in the red, with notable laggards included Larsen & Toubro (-2%), Hindalco Industries (-1.9%), HDFC Bank (-1.6%), Infosys (-1.3%), and ICICI Bank (-1.2%).