Markets opened in the red as US-Iran tensions and rising oil prices
New Delhi: Indian stock markets opened lower on Thursday as rising crude oil prices and renewed geopolitical tensions weighed on investor sentiment. At 9:18 AM, the Nifty 50 was down 86.90 points, or 0.36%, at 23,910.55, while the Sensex fell 384.78 points, or 0.50%, to 77,178.12. The cautious start reflects growing concerns over global uncertainties and escalating geopolitical risks.
The Investor sentiment soured after Iran accused the United States of violating a ceasefire agreement. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s Parliament Speaker, stated that trust in the US has weakened due to repeated alleged violations. He cited ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon and reports of drones entering Iranian airspace as examples of rising tensions. These developments have contributed to market caution, highlighting how geopolitics can directly influence investor decisions.
Among the Nifty 50 constituents, major early losers included Infosys, Adani Ports, Shriram Finance, and HCLTech. Sectorally, Nifty IT emerged as the worst performing index in early trade, while Nifty Metal and Nifty Media indices showed resilience, attracting investor interest. Despite the weaker start for benchmark indices, the broader market displayed strength. The Nifty MidCap index rose 0.28%, and the Nifty SmallCap index gained 0.57%, signaling continued buying interest in mid- and small-cap stocks even amid uncertainty.
Markets across Asia traded lower on Thursday, reflecting investor concerns over geopolitical tensions. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.48%, while South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.28%. In contrast, US equities had a strong session overnight. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 2.85%, S&P 500 rose 2.51%, and Nasdaq Composite climbed 2.80%, providing a positive cue for global markets.
Brent crude oil prices jumped 2.9% to $97.50 per barrel, raising inflation concerns. Precious metals, however, saw declines, with gold futures down 0.66% and silver futures falling 2.02%.
Overall, while rising oil prices and geopolitical risks pressured benchmark indices, the resilience in mid- and small-cap stocks shows that investor confidence has not completely faded. Market watchers will likely continue monitoring global developments closely for cues on the next major move.
