The Indian stock markets experienced fluctuations on Thursday as investors grappled with mixed global cues and sectoral pressures. The benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, swung between gains and losses, reflecting uncertainty in the market. While some sectors saw positive movement, selling pressure in banking and IT stocks weighed on overall sentiment.
As of 10:37 AM, the BSE Sensex was up by 70 points (0.09%) at 73,799.79, whereas the Nifty50 slipped 19 points (0.09%) to 22,356.35. Among the top gainers on the Sensex were Asian Paints, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finserv, Reliance Industries, and HCLTech. Meanwhile, the Nifty MidCap index surged 0.77%, and the Nifty SmallCap index advanced by 1.34%. Sector-wise, the Nifty Metal and PSU Bank indices led the rally with gains of 0.73% and 1.33%, respectively. The Nifty IT index, however, registered a modest increase of 0.24%.
The volatility in the Indian markets contrasted with the upbeat trend in global markets, driven by developments in U.S. trade policy. Investor sentiment improved after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a temporary suspension of tariffs on automakers. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt further indicated that Trump is open to additional tariff exemptions beyond the auto sector.
Market expert Vijayakumar commented on the situation, stating that the global economy and trade environment remain highly uncertain. He pointed out that Trump’s strategy appears to be negotiating from a position of strength, which could lead to deals and settlements, albeit with challenges. Additionally, the declining dollar index, which fell to 104.3, is considered a positive factor for emerging markets like India. If this trend continues, it could slow down foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows and potentially trigger a market rally.
On the domestic front, the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to inject Rs 1.9 trillion liquidity into the banking system is seen as a significant boost for banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). Moreover, the drop in Brent crude oil prices below $70 per barrel is another favorable macroeconomic indicator that could benefit the Indian markets.
Global market trends also played a role in shaping investor sentiment. Asian markets climbed on Thursday, driven by optimism over easing trade tensions. Japan’s Nikkei index gained 0.82% to 37,726.02, while the broader Topix rose by 1.18% to 2,750.27. Wall Street closed on a positive note after a volatile session, as investors remained hopeful about the resolution of trade disputes between the U.S. and key trading partners.
Despite the market’s volatility, analysts remain optimistic about India’s long-term growth prospects. While global uncertainties persist, domestic policy measures and favorable macroeconomic conditions could provide stability in the coming weeks.
