📉 Sensex Slips 383 Points, Nifty Closes Below 23,800 as US

Indian benchmark indices ended lower on Monday, with the Sensex declining 382.62 points, or 0.50%, to 76,132.81, while the Nifty fell 118.55 points, or 0.50%, to 23,779.15. Investor sentiment remained under pressure as rising crude oil prices, escalating US-Iran tensions, and concerns over a possible US interest rate hike triggered a cautious approach among market participants. The broader market also witnessed weakness, with small-cap and mid-cap indices falling around 0.2% each, as elevated oil prices and geopolitical uncertainties reduced investors' risk appetite. 🔑 Key Factors Behind the Market Decline 1️⃣ Rising Brent Crude Prices 🛢️ Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, gained around 0.78% to trade near USD 97 per barrel. Crude oil remained one of the key macroeconomic drivers for the market. WTI prices also stayed elevated near USD 91–92 per barrel, as renewed tensions between the US and Iran, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, raised concerns about potential disruptions to global oil supplies. 2️⃣ Weakness in IT Stocks 💻 Heavy selling pressure in major IT stocks further dragged the benchmark indices lower. Concerns surrounding the global interest-rate outlook and the possibility of higher US rates weighed on sentiment toward technology companies. 3️⃣ Geopolitical Uncertainty 🌍 The intensifying US-Iran conflict added to overall market uncertainty. Investors remained cautious amid fears that prolonged tensions could impact crude oil supplies, inflation, global growth, and corporate profitability. 4️⃣ Mixed Global Market Signals 📊 Asian markets delivered a mixed performance. South Korea's Kospi surged 3.36%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 advanced 1.83%. Meanwhile, investors continued to monitor developments across other major Asian markets for further direction. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing,