Indian equity markets closed in the red on Wednesday as cautious investor sentiment and sustained selling pressure weighed on benchmark indices. The BSE Sensex declined by 271 points, while the NSE Nifty50 slipped below the 25,200 level, reflecting weak momentum across large parts of the market.
Trading was volatile throughout the session. The benchmarks opened sharply lower, with the Sensex plunging over 1,000 points at one stage and the Nifty briefly falling below the 25,000 mark. Some recovery was seen later in the day as bargain hunting emerged at lower levels, helping indices pare losses, but the rebound lacked strength and markets eventually ended lower.
Despite the overall weakness, a few stocks managed to buck the trend. Eternal Ltd, InterGlobe Aviation, and UltraTech Cement were among the top gainers, supported by stock-specific buying and defensive interest. Power Grid Corporation and HDFC Life Insurance also closed higher, offering limited support to the benchmarks amid widespread selling.
On the flip side, heavyweights dragged the indices down. ICICI Bank emerged as a key loser, reflecting pressure in banking stocks. Trent Ltd and Bharat Electronics Ltd also declined, contributing to losses in the consumer and defence segments. Broader selling was visible across financials, industrials, and select technology stocks, keeping market sentiment subdued.
Global cues remained weak, adding to domestic concerns. Persistent foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows continued to weigh on equities, while a weaker rupee against the US dollar further dampened sentiment. Asian markets also traded lower, reinforcing the cautious tone on Dalal Street.
Sectorally, most indices ended in negative territory, with banking and capital goods underperforming. Defensive and infrastructure-linked stocks showed relative resilience, but this was not enough to offset broader losses. Mid-cap and small-cap stocks also faced pressure, underlining risk aversion among investors.
Market experts said volatility is likely to continue in the near term amid global uncertainties and ongoing earnings-related developments. Investors are advised to remain cautious, focus on fundamentally strong stocks, and avoid aggressive positions until clearer signals emerge.