Sensex Drops 166 Points, Nifty Slips Below 24,600;

TECHM

,

SUNPHARMA

Decline 2% Each

Indian benchmark indices, the Sensex and Nifty, closed lower on Wednesday, weighed down by rate-sensitive sectors. This followed the Reserve Bank of India’s decision to keep key interest rates unchanged and maintain a ‘neutral’ monetary policy stance. While the outcome was broadly anticipated, it fell short of investor hopes for a more accommodative tone amid ongoing global trade uncertainties. Market Close The BSE Sensex declined by 166.26 points (0.21%) to settle at 80,543.99, while the NSE Nifty dropped 75.35 points (0.31%) to end at 24,574.20. Among the 30 Sensex constituents, notable laggards included

, , , , , and l, each losing between 1% and 2.3%. Sectoral Performance Real estate stocks, sensitive to interest rates, retreated 1.5%. Consumer goods and automobile indices slipped 0.9% and 0.5%, respectively. Financials, the largest sector by weight, remained largely unchanged. IT and pharmaceutical sectors, which derive a considerable share of earnings from the U.S., dropped 1.7% and 2%, respectively, amid escalating trade concerns. Sentiment was further shaken after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that tariffs on Indian imports would be significantly increased within 24 hours, citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Broader Market Performance The broader indices underperformed the benchmarks. The Nifty Smallcap and Midcap indices slid 1.1% and 0.8%, respectively, reflecting their greater exposure to domestic borrowing costs and economic sentiment. Disclaimer: This is not investment advice. The information is provided solely for informational purposes. Please consult a financial advisor before making any investment decision.