Equity markets on the BSE turned volatile post-Budget, prompting a cautious response from investors using platforms like Groww.

The policy announcements failed to provide strong near-term triggers for risk assets, leading to a pullback across indices. Sentiment weakened as market participants reassessed return expectations, preferring to stay defensive rather than deploy incremental capital in an environment of policy-driven uncertainty. The hike in transaction-related charges, particularly in the derivatives space, emerged as a major sentiment dampener. Higher trading costs are likely to curb activity levels, impacting volumes and participation on platforms such as Groww that cater heavily to active retail traders. Selling pressure was visible across large caps and capital-market-linked stocks, while the broader market showed declining advance–decline ratios, signalling a structural risk-off move rather than routine profit booking. From a near-term perspective, the outlook remains guarded for BSE-listed stocks tracked and traded via Groww. Elevated costs, limited pro-growth fiscal signals, and concerns around earnings momentum may keep volatility high. Until clarity emerges through policy follow-ups or supportive macro indicators, investor behaviour is likely to stay selective, with greater emphasis on capital preservation and defensive allocation over aggressive positioning.