Synopsis : Indian stock markets opened weak on Friday amid global trade tensions and rising oil prices. The Sensex fell over 250 points, while Nifty hovered near 25,820, with FMCG and banking stocks under pressure even as metal shares outperformed.
Stock Market LIVE: Sensex Down 200 Pts, Nifty Near 25,820; FMCG, Banking Shares Drag, Metal Shines
Indian equity benchmarks traded lower on Friday, tracking cautious global cues after reports suggested the US may reopen trade investigations against China. Sentiment was further hit as crude oil prices rose following fresh US sanctions on Russia, raising inflation and fiscal concerns.
At 11:00 AM, the BSE Sensex was down 254 points (0.30%) at 84,301, while the NSE Nifty50 slipped 73 points (0.28%) to 25,817. Investors remained watchful ahead of key corporate earnings due later today.
Top Gainers and Losers
Among the Sensex laggards, Hindustan Unilever, Kotak Bank, Axis Bank, Titan, ITC, Adani Ports, NTPC, Tech Mahindra, and Maruti Suzuki saw declines of up to 3.5%. FMCG and private banking counters weighed the most on the index.
On the other hand, ICICI Bank, Tata Steel, BEL, M&M, Bharti Airtel, HDFC Bank, and SBI were among the top gainers, led by renewed buying in metal and auto shares.
Broader Market and Sectoral Trends
In the broader markets, the Nifty Midcap 100 index was slightly positive, up 0.04%, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 index edged lower by 0.11%, reflecting a mixed sentiment among investors.
Among sectors, the Nifty Metal index led the rally, gaining 1%, followed by Realty and Financial Services, which rose 0.1% each.
Meanwhile, FMCG stocks were the biggest drag, with the Nifty FMCG index down 1.4% as heavyweight names like HUL and ITC saw profit-booking.
Earnings in Focus: Q2 Results Today
Several key companies are set to announce their Q2FY26 earnings today, including:
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, SBI Cards, SBI Life Insurance, Coforge, ITC Hotels, Supreme Petrochem, Brigade Hotel Ventures, Sigachi Industries, NDL Ventures, Jinkushal Industries, and eClerx Services.
Market participants are expected to track these results closely for cues on sectoral performance, particularly in pharma, IT, and banking.
Despite near-term volatility, analysts believe the market remains resilient with strong domestic fundamentals, though rising oil prices and global uncertainties could limit upside momentum in the short term.
Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Market investments are subject to risks—please consult a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
