Share Markets In Red As US-Iran Tensions Escalate: Sensex Over 450 Points Down, Nifty Tests 24,200

Brent crude climbed 1.43 per cent to trade above $101 per barrel on the Intercontinental Exchange, reflecting concerns over potential supply disruptions.

US markets ended in the red overnight as investors assessed mixed signals emerging from the US-Iran situation.

Source : ABPLIVE AI

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Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom

• Indian equity markets opened lower, influenced by global cues.
• Banking and auto stocks led the decline, with IT and pharma rising.
• Broader markets showed resilience, outperforming frontline indices.

Indian equity benchmarks opened lower on Friday, tracking weak global cues as renewed tensions between the US and Iran dampened investor sentiment and pushed crude oil prices higher.

At 9:15 AM, the BSE Sensex was down 463.23 points, or 0.60 per cent, at 77,381.29, while the NSE Nifty50 declined 125.15 points, or 0.51 per cent, to 24,201.85.

Earlier in the pre-open session around 9:03 AM, the Sensex had slipped 103.09 points and the Nifty was down over 183 points, signalling a weak start for Dalal Street.

Banking, Auto Stocks Drag Markets Lower

Selling pressure was visible across several key sectors, particularly in banking and automobile counters.

Indices tracking private banks, PSU banks, auto, and oil & gas stocks emerged as the biggest laggards in early trade.

Heavyweights including HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Eicher Motors, Shriram Finance, and Eternal were among the major drags on the benchmark indices.

IT, Pharma Buck Weak Market Trend

Despite the broader weakness, select defensive sectors managed to stay in positive territory.

IT, chemicals, pharma, and healthcare stocks witnessed buying interest, helping cushion some of the downside pressure in the markets.

Broader Markets Continue To Outperform

Despite volatility in frontline indices, broader markets continued to show resilience.

Analysts pointed out that India’s midcap segment remains relatively strong, with the Nifty Midcap index trading near record highs despite concerns around elevated valuations.

According to market experts, the ongoing escalation and de-escalation cycle in West Asia continues to drive fluctuations in crude oil prices and remains the key source of volatility for global equities.

Markets Open In Red Amid Fresh US-Iran Escalation

Investor sentiment remained under pressure after reports of renewed exchanges between the US and Iran near the Strait of Hormuz intensified concerns over prolonged instability in West Asia.

Iran accused the US of breaching the month-long truce, while Washington maintained that recent military action was retaliatory after Iranian forces allegedly fired at American naval vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian authorities also claimed that US forces targeted oil tankers and civilian areas near the strategically important waterway.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump stated that the ceasefire agreement was still in place, adding that Washington was awaiting Tehran’s response to a revised peace proposal.

The latest developments have once again raised fears of disruptions to global energy supplies through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global crude shipments.

Asian Markets Decline As Risk Appetite Weakens

Markets across the Asia-Pacific region traded lower in early deals on Friday as geopolitical tensions weighed on risk sentiment.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined 0.63 per cent, while South Korea’s Kospi slipped 0.85 per cent. Investors remained cautious amid concerns that a prolonged conflict could impact global growth and inflation trends.

Wall Street Ends Lower On Geopolitical Uncertainty

US markets ended in the red overnight as investors assessed mixed signals emerging from the US-Iran situation.

The S&P 500 fell 0.63 per cent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.38 per cent. The Nasdaq Composite also closed marginally lower, shedding 0.13 per cent.

The weakness reflected uncertainty over whether diplomatic efforts would progress or tensions in West Asia would escalate further.

Brent Crude Above $101 Keeps Inflation Concerns Alive

Crude oil prices continued to rise as hopes for a near-term resolution to the conflict weakened.

Brent crude climbed 1.43 per cent to trade above $101 per barrel on the Intercontinental Exchange, reflecting concerns over potential supply disruptions.

Higher oil prices remain a key risk for India, given their impact on inflation, the rupee, and overall macroeconomic stability.

Gold, Silver Rise As Investors Seek Safe Havens

Precious metals traded higher amid renewed demand for defensive assets.

Both gold and silver futures gained 0.41 per cent in early trade as investors shifted towards safer investment avenues.