Indices Extend Losses Amid Profit Booking
India's benchmark equity indices extended their decline for a second consecutive session on Tuesday. The 30-stock Sensex dropped 481.3 points to close at 84,958.2, while the Nifty index shed 109 points, settling at 26,141. Over the past two trading days, the Sensex has fallen by approximately 800 points, and the Nifty is down 188 points.
Heavyweights Under Pressure
Shares of major companies like Reliance Industries (RIL), Trent, and HDFC Bank led the downward move. RIL shares experienced their steepest fall in over eight months, declining more than 5 percent. This decline occurred despite the company denying reports about three tankers carrying Russian crude oil heading to its Jamnagar refinery. Trent's stock tumbled over 8 percent following its third-quarter results for the fiscal year 2025-26.
Geopolitical Fog Thickens
Investor sentiment remains cautious amid significant geopolitical developments. The recent US military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, has kept markets on edge. Analysts suggest that the market may be too optimistic about the economic consequences of such events, noting the high degree of uncertainty.
Tariff Tensions Add to Woes
Adding to market anxieties, US President Donald Trump has warned of potential tariff increases on Indian exports. This threat is linked to India's continued purchases of Russian oil, introducing fresh uncertainty for trade relations. Trump indicated that tariffs could be imposed swiftly and would be detrimental to India.
Technical Outlook
On the downside, strong support for the Nifty is identified in the 26,100-26,050 range, aligning with recent lows and the 20-day exponential moving average. A decisive breach below 26,000 could trigger further downward pressure towards 25,900. Momentum indicators currently suggest a neutral stance, pointing to potential range-bound trading unless new market-moving triggers emerge.