Domestic equity markets ended in the negative territory on Wednesday, as global trade tensions weighed heavily on investor sentiment, despite a second consecutive repo rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India. The RBI reduced the repo rate by 0.25%, a move aimed at boosting liquidity and economic momentum. However, concerns over an escalating trade war overshadowed the central bank’s efforts.
At the close of trading, the BSE Sensex dropped 379 points to finish at 73,847, while the NSE Nifty lost 136 points, ending the day at 22,399. The Indian rupee also came under pressure, closing at ₹86.69 per US dollar.
Market analysts noted that while the monetary policy decision was in line with expectations, the broader mood remained cautious amid global uncertainty. Investors preferred to book profits, especially in heavyweight sectors like banking, IT, and infrastructure.
Among the top gainers on the Sensex were:
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Nestle India, rising by 3.24%
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Hindustan Unilever, up by 2.63%
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Titan, gaining 1.66%
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Power Grid Corporation, up 1.56%
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Ultratech Cement, adding 1.03%
On the flip side, top losers included:
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State Bank of India, falling 3.43%
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Tech Mahindra, down 3.35%
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Larsen & Toubro, slipping 3.23%
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Tata Steel, losing 2.30%
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Sun Pharma, declining 2.18%
In the broader market, STI shares dropped more than 3%, reflecting the global ripple effects of trade friction and tightening financial conditions. Analysts believe the near-term outlook will remain volatile, with investors closely monitoring international developments and their potential impact on India’s economic recovery trajectory.
