The Indian stock market faced a significant downturn as both the NSE Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex closed lower on Friday, reflecting ongoing concerns about global trade tensions. The Nifty plummeted by 345.65 points, or 1.49%, settling at 22,904.45, while the Sensex fell by 930.67 points, or 1.22%, closing at 73,364.69. As the new week begins, GIFT Nifty futures have already signaled a rocky start, declining by 150 points, or 0.7%, to 22,186.50.

Global Market Impact

Asian markets experienced a widespread decline as investors reacted to escalating trade conflicts. Notably, Japanese stocks took a hit, with the Topix index dropping by as much as 9.6%, marking its lowest point since August. Similarly, the Nikkei 225 fell to its lowest level since October 2023, prompting circuit breakers to temporarily halt trading in these indices amid steep losses.

U.S. Market Repercussions

U.S. equity futures also mirrored this downward trend, with S&P 500 contracts declining by 4.4% following its most significant two-day loss since March 2020. This sell-off resulted in a staggering $5 trillion loss in market capitalization, largely attributed to Donald Trump’s proposed reciprocal tariffs that stirred up investor uncertainty.

Indian Market Dynamics

Back in India, the decline in stock indices continued as fears surrounding the global trade landscape intensified, influenced heavily by Trump’s aggressive tariff policies. Foreign portfolio investors remained net sellers for the fifth consecutive session, offloading approximately Rs 3,484 crore in equities. Meanwhile, domestic institutional investors also turned sellers, divesting Rs 1,720.32 crore worth of stocks.

Key Stocks to Monitor

Investors should keep an eye on several companies making headlines:

• Bajel Projects: Appointed Nitesh Bhandari as CFO.
• Rane Holdings: Sold 3.995 acres of land in Tamil Nadu for Rs 50.50 crore.
• Larsen & Toubro: Launched a new entity, L&T Green Energy Kandla.
• Tata Steel: Received a tax assessment order for the fiscal year 2019.
• IndusInd Bank: Reported a 1.4% year-on-year increase in net advances, totaling Rs 3.5 lakh crore.

Market Highlights

• TVS Motor plans to expand its electric vehicle offerings in Southeast Asia.
• Bajaj Housing Finance announced a 26% year-on-year increase in assets under management, reaching Rs 1.14 lakh crore.
• Medplus Health Services faced regulatory scrutiny after a drug license suspension.
• Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories received a Rs 2,396 crore notice from the Income Tax department related to a merger.

Currency Movements

On the currency front, the Indian rupee appreciated by 21 paise on Friday, driven by lower oil prices and concerns about the potential economic impact of Trump’s tariff policies.

Conclusion

As the markets brace for a week filled with uncertainties, investors are advised to stay alert and monitor ongoing developments in global trade dynamics and their implications for the Indian stock market. With key financial reports and corporate updates on the horizon, the coming days are set to be pivotal for market performance.