Mumbai l
Indian stock markets opened lower on Friday, tracking weak global cues and rising concerns over possible tariff changes by the United States.
The BSE Sensex slipped 144.66 points to trade at 77,461.77, while the NSE Nifty dropped 38.7 points, settling at 23,553.25 in early hours.
Who Were the Major Losers?
From the 30-share Sensex pack, companies like Mahindra & Mahindra, Infosys, Power Grid, Sun Pharma, and HCL Tech faced the biggest losses. Financial giants Bajaj Finance, IndusInd Bank, and Axis Bank also saw declines.
Who Gained Despite the Slide?
On the other hand, defensive stocks such as Nestle, Hindustan Unilever, ITC, and Kotak Mahindra Bank saw some buying interest.
🌏 Global Trends in Focus
Stock markets across Asia — including Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Seoul — were all in the red. The downtrend reflects global investor anxiety over the return of Trump-era tariff threats, which could disrupt international trade flows once again.
In the US, major indices closed lower on Thursday, adding to the global market pressure.
What’s Keeping Investors Hopeful?
Despite global concerns, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued their buying streak in India. On Thursday alone, FIIs bought equities worth ₹11,111.25 crore, according to exchange data.
“The market’s resilience, despite Trump’s reciprocal tariff threats, comes from the renewed buying by FIIs and the confidence this gives to bulls,” said V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.
📅 What’s Next for the Markets?
All eyes are now on the RBI’s monetary policy announcement in April and the upcoming Q4 corporate earnings season. Both events are expected to influence investor sentiment and determine the market’s short-term direction.
Meanwhile, Brent crude oil prices held steady, trading slightly down at $73.98 per barrel.
For everyday investors, it’s important to stay cautious during volatile phases like this. Global uncertainty, especially linked to trade policies, can cause short-term swings. Keep an eye on domestic economic indicators and RBI’s next moves.
