Closing Bell: Sensex Falls 307 Points, Nifty Below 24,100

Indian benchmark indices ended lower on Monday as renewed US-Iran tensions pushed crude oil prices higher and weighed on investor sentiment. Weak global cues and continued foreign fund outflows further intensified the selling pressure. The Sensex fell 307.24 points, or 0.40%, to 76,957.27, while the Nifty declined 95.25 points, or 0.39%, to 24,080.40. Selling remained broad-based, with all Nifty sectoral indices closing in the red. The broader market also came under pressure, with the Nifty Smallcap 100 and Nifty Midcap 100 falling around 1% each. Among sectors, IT, banking, financial services, realty and consumer-facing stocks remained under pressure, reflecting cautious investor sentiment. Rising crude prices also raised concerns over inflation and India’s import bill, particularly weighing on oil-sensitive segments. The market remained focused on geopolitical developments, crude oil prices, global equity trends and foreign investor flows for further direction. The rise in oil prices and uncertainty over the US Federal Reserve’s interest-rate outlook are likely to keep volatility elevated in the near term. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing,