Sensex Extends Losses to Fourth Day

India’s BSE Sensex opened about 0.9% lower at 75,355 on Tuesday, marking a fourth consecutive session of losses, pressured by higher oil prices and growing perceptions that a US-Iran ceasefire or settlement remains unstable. Crude prices surged again after remarks suggested that US-Iran negotiations were nearing collapse, reigniting concerns over prolonged supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The rupee closed at a record low, adding pressure on foreign flows and imported inflation. Foreign investors sold INR 84.38 billion on Monday, the largest outflow since April 24, while domestic institutions bought INR 59.4 billion, partly offsetting the selling. India’s April inflation data is also due later today, with estimates pointing to a rise to 3.8% from 3.4% in March, moving closer to the central bank’s 4% target. Among individual stocks, notable laggards included Billionbrains (-4.2%), Vodafone (-3.7%), Infosys (-3.6%), JSW Energy (-7.9%), TCS (-3.4%), and Kalyan (-3.4%).

India’s BSE Sensex finished about 1.7% down at 76,015.3 on Monday, the lowest in over a month, marking the third straight session of losses. Stranded US-Iran negotiations, rising crude oil prices, sustained foreign exchange outflows and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's austerity push triggered broad-based selling. Consumer-linked stocks saw heavy selling after PM Modi’s call to curb fuel consumption, reduce unnecessary foreign travel and avoid non-essential imports such as gold. Jewellery major Titan Company plunged nearly 7%, while Trent and Asian Paints fell 1.5% and 1.3%. IndiGo slipped 4.7% on higher jet fuel costs. Financial stocks also weakened, with State Bank of India down 4.5%, extending losses after a profit miss, and HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, and Bajaj Finserv declining 2.1%, 2%, and 1.2%. TCS edged down 0.1% despite strong FY27 guidance and better-than-expected earnings. Among top gainers, Sun Pharma and Hinustan Unilever stood out, rising 1.4% and 0.9%, respectively.

The SENSEX Index decreased 1292 points or 1.67 percent on Monday to close at 76036 points. The decline was led by Titan Company (-6.86%), Bharti Airtel (-3.79%) and Reliance Industries (-3.47%).