The SENSEX Index Closes 1.09% Lower

India’s BSE Sensex finished about 1.1% down at 77,664 on Thursday, marking the second session of losses, pressured by elevated crude prices amid continued geopolitical tensions and stalled US-Iran negotiations. At the same time, foreign outflows continued for a second day. Sentiment was further dampened after HSBC downgraded Indian equities to “underweight,” citing risks to growth and demand in an import-reliant economy. Meanwhile, attention was also on the ongoing earnings season. Sectoral performance was broadly negative, with banking, tech, retailers and autos among the hardest hit. On the other hand, defensive sectors and capital goods advanced. Trent was the worst performer, down 4.2%, even after strong Q4 results beat as brokerages flagged concerns on fund-raise, demand outlook. M&M (-3.3%), Bajaj Finserv (-2.9%), Tech Mahindra (-2.9%); Infosys (-2%) and HDFC Bank (-1.9%) also posted steep losses. Conversely, Adani Ports (1%), L&T (0.8%) and Sun Pharma (0.6%) advanced the most.

The SENSEX Index fell 852 points or 1.09 percent on Thursday to close at 77664 points. Leading the losses are Tech Mahindra (-3.12%), Bajaj Finserv (-3.07%) and Infosys (-2.96%).

India’s BSE Sensex fell about 0.6% to 78,032 on Thursday, pressured by surging oil prices and escalating Middle East tensions. Brent Crude rose above $100 per barrel for a fourth straight session after Iran seized two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, heightening concerns over supply disruptions and inflation. Sentiment was further dampened after HSBC downgraded Indian equities to “underweight,” citing risks to growth and demand in an import-reliant economy. Foreign investors remained net sellers for a second straight session, offloading shares worth $221.56 million last Wednesday, adding to downside pressure. On the corporate front, SBI Life Insurance posted weaker earnings, while Trent delivered strong quarterly growth, driving stock-specific moves. Early laggards included Trent (-3.7%), even after reporting a 26% jump in quarterly profit, as well as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Reliance Industries, HCL Tech, and Vedanta which declined between 0.5% and 1.8%, and Havells which dropped 5.6%.