Indian equity markets opened in the red on Tuesday, snapping a two-day rally as investors booked profits in information technology stocks and tracked weak cues from major Asian bourses. Both the Sensex and Nifty declined sharply in early trade, reflecting caution ahead of key domestic macroeconomic data releases, including industrial production and GDP figures. The selloff was exacerbated by a muted global backdrop, with several Asian indices slipping and U.S. markets closed for Memorial Day. While foreign institutional investors remained net buyers, sentiment was subdued, suggesting the likelihood of short-term consolidation across broader markets.
Markets Slip as Investors Turn Cautious
Domestic benchmark indices fell sharply on Tuesday, with the 30-stock BSE Sensex tumbling 627.86 points to 81,548.59 in intraday trade, while the broader NSE Nifty declined by 178 points, trading at 24,807.95. The decline came after two consecutive sessions of gains that had propelled the indices to record highs on Monday.
Early in the session, the Sensex was already down by 460.38 points at 81,716.07, while the Nifty slid 162.05 points to 24,839.10, as traders took profits off the table amid rising global uncertainties.
IT Stocks Lead Market Decline
The downturn was primarily driven by weakness in the information technology sector, with heavyweights such as Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and HCL Technologies among the top laggards. Other major decliners from the Sensex pack included NTPC, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Finserv, UltraTech Cement, Axis Bank, Tata Motors, and Eternel (possibly a placeholder or error for a listed firm).
Notably, IndusInd Bank stood out as the sole gainer among the blue-chip constituents, indicating selective buying interest in the banking space.
Global Headwinds and Data Anticipation Weigh on Sentiment
Investors adopted a risk-averse approach ahead of two crucial economic data releases: India’s industrial and manufacturing production figures for April, due Wednesday, and the GDP report for the first quarter, expected later this week.
Adding to the cautious sentiment was the underperformance of Asian equities, with indices across South Korea (Kospi), Japan (Nikkei 225), China (SSE Composite), and Hong Kong (Hang Seng) trading in negative territory. U.S. markets remained closed on Monday due to Memorial Day, depriving global investors of directional cues from Wall Street.
Oil Prices Ease; FII Activity Remains Positive
In commodities, international crude oil benchmarks softened slightly, with Brent crude falling 0.26 percent to USD 64.57 per barrel. Meanwhile, data from Indian exchanges indicated that foreign institutional investors (FIIs) purchased equities worth Rs. 135.98 crore on Monday, suggesting continued but cautious inflows into Indian assets.
On Monday, the BSE Sensex had surged 455.37 points or 0.56 percent to close at 82,176.45, while the Nifty advanced 148 points or 0.60 percent to finish at 25,001.15, bolstered by optimism around domestic macroeconomic resilience and strong earnings reports.
Outlook: Sideways Movement Likely in the Near Term
According to V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, the markets are expected to consolidate around current levels in the near term, given the blend of profit booking, global uncertainty, and anticipation of key domestic economic data.
With investors digesting previous gains and looking for fresh triggers, volatility may persist in the short run. Market participants are likely to recalibrate positions based on macroeconomic outcomes and global risk appetite, especially in sensitive sectors like IT and financials.
Comments