Indian equity markets signalled a weak start on Friday, with benchmark indices slipping sharply in the pre-opening session amid negative global cues and rising geopolitical concerns.
The BSE Sensex opened trading above 74,650, crashing more than 600 points, and the NSE Nifty50 rang the opening bell near 23,150, plungin close to 200 points around 9:15 AM.
In the pre-open session around 9:01 AM, the Nifty was trading at 22,995.45, after tanking over 300 points or 1.33 per cent. The Sensex declined more than 800 points, or 1.08 per cent, to 74,461.56.
Weak Global Cues Drag Sentiment
The decline comes in line with broader weakness across Asian markets, which extended losses tracking a global sell-off. Investor sentiment has turned cautious as geopolitical tensions in West Asia continue to escalate, raising concerns over a prolonged energy shock.
Asian equities remained under pressure on Friday, with MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan falling, while key indices such as Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s KOSPI also traded lower.
Earlier in the day, GIFT Nifty signalled a weak start for domestic markets. Nifty futures were trading around the 23,137.50 mark, down 140.50 points or 0.60 per cent, indicating downside pressure ahead of the opening bell.
Reversal After Strong Rally
Friday’s weak opening follows a strong rally in the previous trading session on Wednesday, when markets had posted sharp gains.
The Nifty had risen 1.72 per cent, or 392.70 points, to close at 23,306.45, while the Sensex climbed 1,205 points, or 1.63 per cent, to settle at 75,273.45.
The upmove was supported by easing crude oil prices and improving global cues, which had lifted investor sentiment.
