The Indian stock market opened lower on Wednesday, influenced by mixed global cues and uncertainties surrounding US tariff concerns announced by President Donald Trump. At the start of the trading session, the BSE Sensex opened at 75,787.27, while the Nifty 50 at the National Stock Exchange (NSE) opened in the red at 22,847.25. In the first hour, about 788 stocks advanced, 1,403 stocks declined, and 147 shares remained unchanged.
On NSE, major gainers included Tata Consumer, HCL Tech, NTPC, JSW Steel, and Kotak Mahindra Bank. The main losers were Dr. Reddy’s Labs, Cipla, Apollo Hospitals, ICICI Bank, and Trent.
Indian markets face global uncertainties
Analysts expect volatility to remain high due to ongoing concerns over US tariff issues. Ajay Bagga, a market and banking expert, said, “We see a challenge to markets from the rapid cross-currents of geopolitical risk, tariff wars, competitive currency devaluations, and stubborn inflation, which could worsen due to policy protectionism.
Bagga added, “We see further downsides rather than a recovery in Indian stocks and FPI flows,” observing foreign investment patterns.
He also noted, “For now, Indian markets are in a tight pattern, with a higher probability of a near-term breakdown on the back of sustained FPI selling pressures.”
Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research at Axis Securities, said, “Yesterday was another day on which the Nifty’s opening slump ran into support, yet again, in the 22,700 – 22,800 area and reversed – so surely this zone continues to show how much it matters. Candles-wise, beginning Friday, each of the three candles shows a strong presence of buyers, but bulls have to send the benchmark above the most recent swing top of 23,235 to bolster the case for an extended recovery. Till that happens, weakness is expected to prevail despite depressed sentiment.”
In the opening hour, pharma stocks were under pressure due to President Trump’s reiteration of a 25 percent tariff on the sector.
However, the broader market recovered in the initial hour with defense stocks buzzing in trade.
