Indian equity markets opened lower on April 22, 2026, as selling pressure across sectors weighed on investor sentiment. Both benchmark indices ended in the red, with the BSE Sensex falling around 292 points to close near 78,981, while the Nifty50 declined about 84 points to settle close to 24,492.
The session remained weak throughout the day, with early losses extending into mid-trade as global cues stayed mixed and investors continued to book profits after recent gains. Broader weakness was visible across banking, IT, and select large-cap stocks, which dragged the indices lower despite occasional buying in metals and power stocks.
Among heavyweight drags, IT stocks came under pressure, with names like HCL Technologies and Infosys contributing to the decline. Financial stocks also showed softness, adding to the downside momentum in the benchmarks. Market sentiment was further cautious due to global uncertainty and fluctuating crude oil prices.
However, the market was not entirely negative across the board. Select stocks such as ABB India witnessed strong buying interest, emerging as one of the top performers during intraday trade. Power and metal indices also saw intermittent strength, providing some cushion against broader losses.
On the global front, mixed Asian cues and cautious trading in US futures added to investor hesitation. GIFT Nifty signals earlier in the day had also indicated a weak opening, which aligned with the subdued performance seen in domestic markets.
Overall, the broader market tone remained cautious, with investors focusing on stock-specific action ahead of corporate earnings updates and global macroeconomic developments. Market experts suggest that near-term volatility may persist as traders react to global geopolitical developments, interest rate expectations, and crude oil fluctuations.
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