Synopsis : Indian equities fell on Monday with IT stocks under pressure after the US raised H-1B visa fees to $100,000. Auto, energy, and banking stocks cushioned the fall, while India VIX spiked sharply.
Indian stock markets opened on a weak note on Monday, with the Sensex falling over 150 points and the Nifty slipping below 25,300, as sentiment turned cautious following the US decision to raise the one-time H-1B visa fee to $100,000. The move rattled IT counters, which had recently shown signs of a rebound.
At the same time, the India VIX — the volatility index — climbed 4.5%, reflecting investor nervousness and hedging activity.
On the sectoral front, gains in auto, energy, media, realty, and banks indicated broad-based buying interest, but the sharp drag in IT, healthcare, and mid-small cap stocks overshadowed the momentum. Market experts noted that the divergence reflected selective positioning amid global uncertainty and sector-specific risks.
In corporate action, Adani Power shares slipped to ₹147 after trading ex-split following a 1:5 stock sub-division. The decline is purely optical as the overall value of holdings remains intact. The company recently reported a consolidated Q1 profit of ₹8,759 crore, and Morgan Stanley initiated coverage with an overweight rating, projecting its capacity to rise to 41.9 GW by FY32.
Global cues were also mixed. The S&P 500 futures fell 0.1%, Japan’s Topix climbed 0.9%, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.4%. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 0.8%, the Shanghai Composite was flat, and Euro Stoxx 50 futures remained unchanged.
With global market signals still volatile and domestic IT sentiment under pressure, analysts expect Indian equities to remain range-bound in the near term.
Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investors should consult a qualified advisor before making investment decisions.
Do you want me to also create a “key highlights box” (Sensex level, Nifty level, top sectoral gainers/losers) for quick readability?
