Synopsis : Indian markets saw sharp declines on Thursday as investors reacted to global volatility and the expiry of Nifty F&O contracts. IT and auto stocks dragged indices lower, while a partial US-China trade deal left markets unconvinced.
Sensex Drops Over 300 Points; Caution Looms Over Trade Talks and Expiry Jitters
Markets opened on a weak note Thursday, with Indian benchmark indices trading lower as global uncertainty and derivative expiry weighed on sentiment. The Sensex slipped over 300 points, while the Nifty 50 tested the 25,100 mark, struggling to hold gains from earlier this week.
The weekly expiry of Nifty futures and options contracts, coupled with investor concerns over the ambiguous US-China trade framework, prompted caution across sectors.
IT, Auto Stocks Lead the Decline
Technology and auto stocks were the worst performers, with names like:
Infosys
Tech Mahindra
HCL Tech
Eicher Motors
Tata Motors
pulling the indices down. The partial trade agreement between the US and China provided limited clarity, leaving markets anxious about future tariffs and trade policies.
Select Blue Chips Offer Resistance
On the upside, a few defensive and quality stocks held firm, including:
Asian Paints
Sun Pharma
Bajaj Finserv
Bharti Airtel
HDFC Bank
NTPC
These stocks helped cushion the broader market decline, although overall sentiment remained negative.
Key Market Movers Today
Paytm crashed 10% after the Finance Ministry denied MDR regulation speculation.
Gensol Engineering fell 2% as the NCLT reserved its order on a Rs 729 crore insolvency plea by Ireda.
MapMyIndia tanked 9% amid reports of a 5% stake sale by PhonePe through a block deal.
Global Markets Mirror Nervousness
S&P 500 futures down 0.3%
Japan’s Topix slipped 0.2%
Hang Seng Index fell 0.5%
Euro Stoxx 50 futures down 0.7%
Global investors remain on edge with economic data and trade dynamics creating headwinds for equities.
Outlook
With expiry behind, the next few sessions will likely be shaped by global sentiment, FII flows, and clarity on trade developments. Technical analysts suggest 24,950–25,100 remains a critical support zone for Nifty.
Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice. Please consult your financial advisor before making any trading or investment decisions.
