In Short
- Sensex, Nifty close lower on US tariff concerns
- Sun Pharma fell 4.49%, while Trent gained 3.24%
- Nifty FMCG was only sector to close positive, up 0.69%
Benchmark stock market indices closed lower on Friday, as markets ended on a negative note surrounding US tariffs announced by President Donald Trump.
The S&P BSE Sensex lost 585.67 points to close at 80,599.91, while the NSE Nifty50 was down by 203 points to end at 24,565.35.
Ajit Mishra – SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd said that markets continue to grapple with a mixed earnings season, while the recent tariff announcement and persistent foreign fund outflows are further weighing on sentiment.
Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said that investor sentiment weakened further as FIIs now hold the second-highest net short position in derivatives, reflecting elevated caution.
“Globally, markets turned negative amid rising U.S. inflation and trade tensions. While the sell-off was broad-based, FMCG stocks emerged as a defensive play, supported by attractive valuations, resilient demand, and relative immunity to external trade disruptions,” he added.
Markets closed lower on Thursday, with heavy losses seen across most sectors.
The worst performer was Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, which fell 4.49%, followed by Tata Steel down 3.04%, Maruti Suzuki India down 2.65%, Tata Motors down 2.60%, and Infosys down 2.52%.
Among the top five gainers on the BSE Sensex were Trent, which rose 3.24%, followed by Asian Paints up 1.40%, Hindustan Unilever up 1.17%, ITC gaining 1.14%, and Kotak Mahindra Bank up 0.88%.
The Nifty Midcap100 dropped 1.33%, while the Nifty Smallcap100 fell 1.66%, showing pressure on broader markets. India VIX rose by 3.74%.
Among sectoral indices, losses were seen in Nifty Auto (-1.04%), Nifty Financial Services 25/50 (-0.90%), Nifty IT (-1.85%), Nifty Media (-0.59%), Nifty Metal (-1.97%), Nifty Pharma (-3.33%), Nifty PSU Bank (-1.13%), Nifty Private Bank (-0.61%), Nifty Realty (-1.78%), Nifty Healthcare Index (-2.77%), Nifty Consumer Durables (-0.97%), and Nifty Oil & Gas (-1.52%).
On the other hand, Nifty FMCG was the only sector that managed to end in the green with a gain of 0.69%.
“Nifty is now approaching its next crucial support at 24,450; a breach of this level could trigger a retest of the long-term moving average, the 200-day EMA, near 24,180. On the upside, the 24,800–25,000 zone is expected to act as a strong hurdle,” said Mishra.
