Markets ended sharply lower on Monday as the BSE Sensex fell 324.17 points to settle at 83,246.18, while the NSE Nifty 50 dropped 108.85 points to close at 25,585.50.
Key sectors, including banking, IT, and energy, saw the most significant losses. Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, and Infosys were among the major drags on the indices, pulling the overall market lower. Traders noted that profit-booking in heavyweight stocks and cautious positioning ahead of upcoming corporate results contributed to the selling pressure. Defensive sectors, including FMCG and healthcare, showed relative resilience amid the broader decline.
Global market sentiment also weighed on investor confidence. Asian markets closed mixed, while European and US markets remain under pressure due to concerns over global trade tensions, rising interest rates, and slowing economic growth. These factors collectively added to the risk-off mood in domestic markets.
Trading activity remained moderate, with investors keeping an eye on both global developments and domestic corporate earnings for guidance. Analysts suggested that the current market movement reflects a phase of consolidation, as investors digest recent gains and adjust portfolios ahead of further cues from the corporate earnings season.
Despite the decline, some mid-cap and small-cap stocks managed to hold their ground, offering selective buying opportunities. Analysts advise investors to remain cautious, diversify portfolios, and focus on fundamentally strong stocks in sectors likely to benefit from domestic economic growth.