Markets Bleed! Sensex Crashes 488 Points, Nifty Tumbles – Auto and Pharma Hit Hard

Broader markets sink, volatility eases, and sectoral losses deepen as investor sentiment turns negative.

Market Update 3:30 PM: Indian equity markets ended on a negative note, with benchmark indices closing in the red and broader market indices also witnessing losses. The Sensex declined 488.57 points or 0.65 per cent to 75,247.39, while the Nifty fell 149.95 points or 0.65 per cent to 22,763.20.

Broader market indices also recorded losses. The Nifty Midcap 150 dropped 1.1 per cent to 18,681.35, while the Nifty Smallcap 250 declined 0.57 per cent to 14,683.40.

Market volatility decreased significantly, with the India VIX down 1.02 per cent to 14.53.

Among sectoral indices, Nifty Metal was the only gainer, rising 1.02 per cent. On the other hand, Nifty Auto fell 2.58 per cent, Nifty Healthcare Index dropped 1.93 per cent, and Nifty Pharma declined 1.92 per cent, making them the worst-performing sectors.

In the Nifty 50, Hindalco, Tata Steel, and SBI Life Insurance were the Top Gainers, while M&M, BPCL, and Adani Ports were the major laggards.

Market breadth was negative, with 993 stocks advancing and 1,621 declining, reflecting weak investor sentiment.

Market Update 12:55 PM: Indian equity markets are trading with losses in afternoon trade. Benchmark indices are still in the red, although broader market indices have slightly recovered from their morning decline. The Nifty 50 is down 0.46 per cent at 22,806.95, and the Sensex has lost 0.48 per cent to reach 75,228.45.

Broader market indices are showing some signs of recovery. The Nifty Midcap 150 has decreased by 0.65 per cent to 18,765.25, and the Nifty Smallcap 250 has fallen by 0.12 per cent to 14,748.95.

Market volatility has decreased slightly, with the India VIX down 0.34 per cent to 14.63.

Sectorally, Nifty Metal (1.47 per cent) is the top sectoral gainer. Conversely, Nifty Auto (-2.26 per cent), Nifty Pharma (-1.73 per cent) and Nifty Healthcare (-1.71 per cent) are among the sectoral laggards.

Within the Nifty 50, Hindalco, Tata Steel and LT are among the top performers. M&M, Wipro and BPCL are the major draggers.

Market breadth is negative, with 1,245 advances and 1,462 declines, indicating negative sentiment prevailing among investors.

Market Update 11:15 AM: Indian equity markets are trading with significant losses in mid-day trade. Benchmark indices have extended their morning decline, with broader market indices also witnessing substantial losses. The Nifty 50 is down 0.56 per cent at 22,785.10, and the Sensex has lost 0.70 per cent to reach 75,205.54.

Broader market indices are showing weakness. The Nifty Midcap 150 has decreased by 0.94 per cent to 18,710.40, and the Nifty Smallcap 250 has fallen by 0.58 per cent to 14,681.00.

Market volatility has increased slightly, with the India VIX up 1.89 per cent to 14.96.

Sectorally, most indices are showing negative movement. Nifty Metal (0.32 per cent) is the only sectoral gainer. Conversely, Nifty Auto (-2.42 per cent), Nifty Pharma (-1.65 per cent) and Nifty Healthcare (-1.59 per cent) are among the sectoral laggards.

Within the Nifty 50, Hindalco, Shriram Finance and NTPC are among the top performers. M&M, BPCL and UltraTech Cement are the major draggers.

Market breadth is strongly negative, with 961 advances and 1,656 declines, indicating negative sentiment prevailing among investors.

Market Update 9:45 AM: Indian equity markets are trading on a slightly negative note in early-morning trade. Benchmark indices have opened mixed, with broader market indices witnessing some gains in the smallcap space. The Nifty 50 is down 0.30 per cent at 22,843.85, and the Sensex has lost 0.33 per cent to reach 75,486.71.  

Broader market indices are showing mixed performance. The Nifty Midcap 150 has decreased by 0.02 per cent to 18,884.65, and the Nifty Smallcap 250 has risen by 0.45 per cent to 14,834.30.

Market volatility has decreased slightly, with the India VIX down 0.88 per cent to 14.55.

Sectorally, most indices are showing mixed movement. Nifty Metal (0.99 per cent), Nifty Media (0.26 per cent) and Nifty Consumer Durables (0.17 per cent) are the leading sectoral gainers. Conversely, Nifty Pharma (-0.95 per cent), Nifty Auto (-1.03 per cent) and Nifty Healthcare (-1.00 per cent) are among the sectoral laggards.

Within the Nifty 50, Hindalco, Eicher Motors and Shriram Finance are among the top performers. M&M, Wipro and UltraTech Cement are the major draggers.

Market breadth is slightly positive, with 1,735 advances and 702 declines, indicating mixed sentiment prevailing among investors.

Market Update 8:15 AM: U.S. stocks ended Thursday’s session in the red as traders reacted to Walmart’s subdued sales outlook for fiscal year 2026. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.0 per cent, shedding 444.59 points to close at 44,176. The S&P 500 declined 0.4 per cent, slipping 27.15 points to settle at 6,117, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.4 per cent, dropping 94.25 points to finish at 19,962.

Asian markets traded mixed on Friday morning, with indices in Hong Kong and South Korea posting gains, while Japanese stocks remained under pressure.

The GIFT Nifty signaled a slightly negative start for Indian equities. At 7:00 AM IST, Nifty futures were trading at 22,852, down 0.24 per cent.

The dollar index remained steady at 106.5 but was on track for its third straight weekly loss, as investors perceived President Donald Trump’s tariff stance to be less aggressive than initially feared.

Meanwhile, the yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury note hovered around 4.5 per cent, while the 2-year note yield stood at 4.27 per cent on Friday.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued to be net sellers for the second consecutive session, offloading Rs 3,311 crore worth of equities in the cash market. On the other hand, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) maintained their buying momentum, acquiring shares worth Rs 3,907 crore.

Oil prices were set to end a four-week correction phase with gains. WTI crude oil hovered at USD 72 per barrel, while Brent crude traded near USD 76 per barrel. For the week, crude prices have advanced 2.5 per cent.

Manappuram Finance remains on the F&O ban list for the day.

Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.