Indian stock markets opened lower on Wednesday, weighed down by mixed global cues and concerns over US tariffs announced by former President Donald Trump.
At the opening bell, the BSE Sensex declined, starting at 75,787.27, while the Nifty 50 at the National Stock Exchange (NSE) opened in the red at 22,847.25. In the initial trading hour, 788 stocks advanced, 1,403 declined, and 147 remained unchanged.
Sectoral Performance and Key Stock Movements
On the NSE, Tata Consumer, HCL Tech, NTPC, JSW Steel, and Kotak Mahindra Bank were among the top gainers, while Dr. Reddy’s Labs, Cipla, Apollo Hospitals, ICICI Bank, and Trent were the biggest losers.
Pharmaceutical stocks came under pressure following Trump’s reiteration of a 25% tariff on the sector. Meanwhile, the broader market showed signs of recovery, with defence stocks witnessing increased trading activity.
Market Outlook and Expert Views
Analysts predict continued volatility due to concerns over US tariffs and global geopolitical risks.
“Markets face challenges from geopolitical tensions, tariff wars, competitive currency devaluations, and persistent inflation, which could worsen due to policy protectionism,” said Ajay Bagga, market and banking expert.
He added that foreign portfolio investor (FPI) flows indicate further downside risks rather than a potential recovery.
“Currently, Indian markets are in a tight range, with a higher probability of a near-term breakdown due to sustained FPI selling pressure,” Bagga said.
(ANI)
