Friday’s trading session turned sour for Indian bourses, with benchmark indices succumbing to profit-booking and sectoral pressures. Sensex tumbled 769.67 points or 0.94% to 81,537.70, while Nifty retreated 241.25 points or 0.95% to 25,048.65.
The real estate sector was hit hardest, Nifty Realty plunging 3.34%, trailed by PSU Bank (2.27%), Energy (1.92%), Defence (1.80%), Infra (1.69%), PSE (1.54%), and Commodities (1.38%). Broad selling ensured the majority of indices closed negative.
Sensex bright spots were Tech Mahindra, HUL, Infosys, Asian Paints, TCS, Titan, and UltraTech Cement. The downside was led by IndiGo, Axis Bank, Bajaj Finserv, Power Grid, BEL, SBI, Maruti Suzuki, NTPC, Bajaj Finance, Trent, L&T, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Bharti Airtel, and M&M.
Smaller stocks fared no better: Nifty Midcap 100 down 1.80% or 1,045.65 points at 57,145.65; Nifty Smallcap 100 down 1.95% or 324.50 points at 16,352.75.
Market observers highlight the rupee’s record depreciation versus the dollar and persistent FII selling, countering positive global cues and PMI strength. Sentiment is bearish.
Upcoming Fed rate cut expectations and the Union Budget could offer direction. Markets opened in green—Sensex +28 at 82,335, Nifty +55 at 25,344—driven by overseas optimism, but sellers took control.