Indian Stock Market Sees Nearly 3% Drop Amid Rising Oil Prices and US-Iran Tensions
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Mumbai, March 9 (NationPress) The Indian stock markets experienced a significant decline of nearly 3 percent in early trading on Monday, influenced by global market weaknesses and soaring crude oil prices amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
At 9:22 AM, the Sensex fell by 2,333 points, or 2.96 percent, arriving at 76,585, while the Nifty dropped 686 points, or 2.81 percent, landing at 23,764.
Broad-cap indices mirrored the benchmark indices, with the Nifty Midcap 100 decreasing by 3.28 percent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 retreating 3.37 percent.
Every sectoral index recorded losses, with the Nifty PSU bank leading the downturn at 5.32 percent. Other significant losers included Nifty private banks, auto, and metal sectors, declining 3.41 percent, 3.98 percent, and 3.39 percent respectively.
Market analysts suggest that until geopolitical tensions subside or crude oil prices stabilize, the market is expected to remain volatile and range-bound with a downward bias.
The immediate resistance levels for Nifty are set between 24,600 and 24,700, while a stronger resistance zone is identified near 24,900 to 25,000.
For Bank Nifty, resistance is projected in the 55,800 to 58,500 range, with 59,000 being a critical psychological barrier, according to market participants.
Crude oil prices approached $110 per barrel due to the conflict involving Iran, which has disrupted energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz and unsettled global markets.
US President Donald Trump justified the price surge, stating that the increased oil costs are a temporary consequence of addressing Iran’s nuclear threat.
In the Asian markets, China's Shanghai index dipped 1.09 percent, Shenzhen dropped 2.06 percent, Japan's Nikkei fell 6.98 percent, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 2.51 percent. South Korea's Kospi lost 7.36 percent.
US markets also closed lower overnight, with the Nasdaq down 1.59 percent, the S&P 500 down 1.33 percent, and the Dow Jones falling 0.95 percent.
On March 6, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) net sold equities worth Rs 6,030 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers worth Rs 6,971 crore.
aar/rad