The Indian equity benchmarks closed this week down around 2.5%, continuing decline through five sessions amid persistent uncertainty over the US-India tariff talks and escalating geopolitical tensions.
Profit-booking in autos, metals, and oil and gas weighed on indices during the week, while selective buying in consumer durables, on hopes of a demand revival, offered brief respite. Nifty dipped 2.45% this week and 0.75% on the last trading day to end at 25,638. At close, Sensex was down 604 points or 0.72% at 83,576.
It dipped 2.55% during the week. Bank Nifty on the weekly chart has formed a dark cloud cover candlestick pattern indicating selling pressure at higher levels, according to analysts.
Domestic markets remained in a risk-off mode, especially concerns over potential US trade measures linked to Russia-related sanctions, analysts said. Market sentiment weakened amid global headwinds, including the Venezuela–US standoff, concerns over Russian oil imports, China’s restrictions on rare earth exports, and continued FII outflows. Broader indices performed in line with benchmark indices during the week, with the Nifty Midcap100 down 2.64%, while Nifty Smallcap100 declined 3.08%.
Investors are keeping an eye ahead of key Q3 FY26 IT earnings scheduled for release next week.
Meanwhile, the court is expected to rule on US President Donald Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad global tariffs, including a 10% base levy and higher reciprocal duties on key trading partners.
Volatility is likely to persist in the near term, particularly in US exposed companies and sectors such as metals and oil and gas, according to analysts.
Overall, markets are expected to stay range-bound with a mixed bias, maintaining a balance between external risks and domestic fundamentals, they noted.
Sensex, Nifty down around 2.5 pc this week
MUMBAI, JAN 10 (IANS)
