Indian stock markets ended marginally lower on Thursday after a highly volatile trading session, as investors remained cautious amid global cues and domestic factors. The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 135.03 points, or 0.18%, to settle at 75,183.36. During the day, the benchmark index witnessed extreme fluctuations, hitting a high of 75,945.79 and a low of 74,996.78, thus gyrating 949.01 points.
The broader Nifty 50 index also ended in the red, reflecting the overall weak sentiment in the market. The volatility was driven by mixed global signals, profit booking at higher levels, and uncertainty ahead of key economic data releases. Sectoral indices showed a mixed trend, with some heavyweights facing selling pressure while others managed to hold ground.
Market participants are now closely watching upcoming macroeconomic indicators and corporate earnings for further direction. Analysts suggest that the market may continue to remain range-bound in the near term, with bouts of volatility expected. The decline was led by losses in banking, IT, and auto stocks, while select metal and pharma stocks provided some support.
In the broader market, the BSE midcap and smallcap indices also ended lower, indicating a widespread cautious approach among investors. The overall market breadth was negative, with more stocks declining than advancing on the BSE. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers, providing some cushion to the market.
Experts advise investors to adopt a stock-specific approach and maintain a long-term perspective amid the current volatility. The market is expected to take cues from global trends, crude oil prices, and the movement of the rupee in the coming sessions.
