Sensex and Nifty Slip for Fifth Consecutive Session Amid US Tariff Fears and Middle East Tensions
Indian equity benchmarks fell for the fifth straight trading day as concerns over Washington's latest trade restrictions and escalating tensions in the West Asia region weighed on investor sentiment. The BSE Sensex closed down 0.43% at 76,059.77, having hit an intraday low of 75,474.43. Meanwhile, broader market indicators also recorded modest losses, extending the index's downtrend.
The two main barometers of the Indian stock market, the BSE Sensex and the NSE Nifty, posted their fifth consecutive loss on Tuesday, driven by deteriorating global cues. A fresh round of U.S. import duties sparked fears of reduced export demand, while heightened volatility in West Asia heightened risk aversion among domestic investors.
On the BSE, 30 heavyweight constituents slipped, with the index shedding 0.43% to end at 76,059.77 points. The intraday trough reached 75,474.43, underscoring the breadth of selling pressure. The Nifty 50 index mirrored the downside, retreating 0.38% to sit around 23,200 levels.
Analysts attribute the weakness to a confluence of external shocks and domestic factors. The U.S. administration's decision to impose higher tariffs on select commodities has amplified concerns over trade balances, while simultaneous geopolitical friction in the Middle East has unsettled risk appetite. Consequently, foreign portfolio investors have trimmed exposure to Indian equities, leading to net outflows from exchange‑traded funds.
Market participants are now watching for any sign of stabilization, with earnings releases from major corporate players likely to influence near‑term direction. Currency movements, particularly the rupee's response to foreign capital flows, also remain a key variable shaping market trajectories.