Indian equities came under heavy selling pressure on Wednesday as escalating tensions between the US and Iran triggered fresh concerns across global markets. US President Donald Trump’s latest remarks on the conflict added to investor anxiety, with the Sensex losing more than 700 points shortly after the opening bell and the Nifty also falling sharply.
Sensex, Nifty open lower
The domestic market began the session on a weak note. The BSE Sensex opened at 76,471, compared with the previous close of 76.944. It soon extended its losses, falling more than 700 points to 76,135.
The NSE Nifty also opened in negative territory at 23,858, against its previous close of 24,055. The index subsequently slipped to 23,786.
Selling spreads across market segments
The sell-off was visible across large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap stocks. Among large-cap counters, IndiGo declined 2.70%, while Eternal fell 1.90%
In the mid-cap segment, GVT&D dropped 3.10%, Godrej Properties declined 3%, MFSL lost 2.90%, TI India fell 2.50% and Voltas was down 2.20%, Small-cap stocks also faced significant pressure, with KFIN Tech declining 3.45%, Brigade falling 3% and Chola Holdings losing 2.50%
Trump’s remarks add to market concerns
The latest market weakness came amid heightened tensions in West Asia and growing fears of a possible US-Iran conflict.
Trump claimed that the US had gained almost complete control over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and said Iran’s economy was collapsing. The developments came alongside reports of US airstrikes on Iranian military bases.
Crude oil surge rattles global markets
The geopolitical developments pushed crude oil prices sharply higher in international markets. Brent crude was trading at around $96 per barrel, while WTI crude stood at about $92. Mürban crude jumped 7% to cross $104 per barrel.
Higher oil prices added to concerns over inflation and economic stability, putting further pressure on equity markets.
The impact was also visible across Asia. Japan’s Nikkei dropped around 1,800 points, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 300 points, while South Korea’s KOSPI index declined 4%
The combination of escalating geopolitical tensions, a sharp rise in crude oil prices and broad-based selling has increased risk aversion among investors, weighing heavily on Indian equities at the start of Wednesday’s trading session.