Noida, Apr 23 (APAC Media): Indian equities ended sharply lower on Thursday, with benchmark indices extending losses amid global risk-off sentiment following uncertainty around US–Iran peace talks.
At the open, the Sensex dropped over 750 points, while the Nifty 50 fell around 200 points. By the close, the Sensex had declined 850 points, and the Nifty 50 ended down 205 points, reflecting sustained selling pressure across sectors.
The Indian rupee weakened in early trade, opening 20 paise lower at 94.00 per US dollar. It further slipped to 94.11, compared with the previous close of 93.750, marking a 0.3% depreciation against the dollar.
European equities also traded lower. The pan-European STOXX 600 slipped 0.2% to 612.98 points. Germany’s DAX edged down 0.2%, while London’s FTSE 100 declined 0.5%.
Energy stocks were a rare outperformer, rising 0.6% as crude oil prices strengthened amid geopolitical concerns around the Strait of Hormuz.
In commodities, aluminium futures edged higher. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for May delivery rose marginally by 0.01%, or 5 paise, to Rs 371.50 per kilogram, with 240 lots traded.
Analysts attributed the gains to fresh positions and steady demand from consuming industries.
In the mutual fund space, Invesco has introduced two new index schemes: the Invesco India BSE Sensex Index Fund and the Invesco India Nifty Bank Index Fund.
The new fund offers (NFOs) for both schemes are currently open for subscription and will remain available until May 7.
Overall, volatility remained elevated across global asset classes, with equities, currency, and commodities all reflecting cautious sentiment linked to geopolitical risks and uneven earnings signals.
Market participants tracked index-point declines in India, fractional percentage moves in Europe, and marginal commodity gains, while currency markets showed sharper rupee depreciation against the US dollar during the session amid persistent uncertainty over geopolitical negotiations and energy supply routes in global markets this week, the report said.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of experts and do not represent APAC Media. We are not liable for any financial decisions based on this content. This is for informational purposes only and not financial advice. Readers should consult a qualified financial advisor before investing.
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