The SENSEX Index Closes 0.21% Lower

India’s BSE Sensex closed 0.2% down at 75,238 on Friday, halting a two-day advance as late selling in metals and oil and gas stocks wiped out most of the day’s gains. Investors turned more cautious amid growing inflation concerns. Oil prices surged amid persistent Middle East tensions and uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz reopening, while a nationwide fuel price hike added further pressure. India raised petrol and diesel prices for the first time in four years by 3 rupees per litre, or more than 3%, to recoup some of the losses incurred due to higher global crude oil prices. At the same time, foreign outflows continued. Among individual stocks, Tata Steel (-2%) led the losses, followed by Eternal (-1.9%), Reliance Industries (-1.9%) and UltraTech Cement (-1.8%). On the upside, Infosys and Tech Mahindra were the top performers, rising 2.1% and 2%, respectively. Power Grid, Adani Ports, Maruti, Bahrti Airtel saw gains above 1% each. For the week, the index posted a 2.7% decline.

The SENSEX Index dropped 161 points or 0.21 percent on Friday to close at 75238 points. Losses were led by Tata Steel (-1.96%), Nestle India (-1.88%) and Indusind Bank (-1.86%). Offsetting the fall, top gainers were Tata Motors (5.14%), Infosys (1.92%) and Tech Mahindra (1.79%).

India’s BSE Sensex rose about 0.5% to 75,741 on Friday, marking a third straight session of gains, although upside momentum remained limited amid higher crude oil prices and escalating geopolitical tensions surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions in the region remained elevated after reports of an Iranian seizure of a vessel near the UAE and the sinking of an Indian cargo ship off Oman the previous day, while US President Trump further dampened hopes for de-escalation, saying in a Thursday interview that he would not continue to be patient with Iran. The benchmark was led higher by technology stocks, with Shadowfax (+8%), Nazara (+6.2%), Infosys (+3.2%) posting strong gains. Tata Motors also advanced 4.8% despite a decline in quarterly profit, supported by sequential improvement in margins and free cash flow across its India and JLR businesses, along with strong volume guidance. On the downside, Data Patterns (-9.7%) and Sai Life (-13.3%) were among the biggest losers.