Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined in early trade on Tuesday (August 26, 2025) after the U.S. issued a draft notice over the implementation of an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports.

Additionally, persistent foreign fund outflows and a weak trend in Asian markets also dampened sentiment.

The 30-share BSE Sensex tumbled 606.97 points or 0.74% to 81,028.94 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty went lower by 182.25 points or 0.73% to 24,785.50.

From the Sensex firms, Sun Pharmaceutical, Tata Steel, Adani Ports, ICICI Bank, Bharti Airtel, Power Grid, Bharat Electronics Ltd, HDFC Bank, NTPC and Tata Motors were the laggards.

Hindustan Unilever and Tata Consultancy Services were the only gainers.

On Monday (August 25, 2025), the United States issued a draft order implementing an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, which President Donald Trump had announced earlier, beginning August 27.

According to the draft notice released by the Department of Homeland Security, the additional tariffs will cover Indian products “that are entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 am Eastern Daylight Time on August 27, 2025”.

The notice explained that the higher levies were linked to “threats to the U.S. by the government of the Russian Federation,” with India targeted in line with that strategy.

“The biggest headwind for Indian markets remains whether Nifty can scale the ‘Wall of Worry’ around the 50% Mr. Trump tariff set to kick in on August 27, which threatens to make almost all of India’s $86.5 billion exports to the U.S. commercially unviable,” Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research) at Mehta Equities Ltd, said.

Moreover, Tapse said, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra has assured policy action if U.S. tariffs hurt domestic growth.

In Asian markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index, South Korea’s Kospi, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng were trading lower while Shanghai’s SSE Composite index was quoted in positive territory.

U.S. markets ended lower in overnight deals on Monday.

Foreign Institutional Investors offloaded equities worth ₹2,466.24 crore on Monday (August 25, 2025), according to the exchange data.

“Despite sluggish earnings growth and headwinds like high tariffs, the market continues to be resilient. Resilient market co-existing with tepid earnings growth has made India the most expensive market in the world.

“Consequently, FIIs have been sustained sellers, but massive DII (Domestic Institutional Investor) buying, totally eclipsing FII selling, is supporting the market even amidst strong headwind,” VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments, said.

Since the principal reason for the market’s resilience is liquidity and liquidity flows are likely to sustain, the market is unlikely to correct significantly, and the elevated valuations may continue, Vijayakumar added.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.48 per cent lower at USD 68.47 per barrel.

On Monday, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 329.06 points to settle at 81,635.91. The 50-share NSE Nifty rose by 97.65 points to close at 24,967.75.

Published – August 26, 2025 10:26 am IST

Image used for representative purpose only
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Benchmark equity indices declined in early trade on Friday (September 6, 2024) tracking a weak trend in global markets and fresh foreign fund outflows.

Falling for the third day running, the 30-share BSE Sensex declined 233.98 points to 81,967.18 in early trade. The NSE Nifty dropped 60 points to 25,085.10.

Among the 30 Sensex firms, State Bank of India, UltraTech Cement, Reliance Industries, NTPC, ICICI Bank and Titan were the biggest laggards.

Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv, Hindustan Unilever, Asian Paints and IndusInd Bank were among the gainers.

In Asian markets, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong were trading lower.

The U.S. markets ended mostly in the negative territory on Thursday.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹688.69 crore on Thursday after days of remaining buyers, according to exchange data.

Meanwhile, global oil benchmark Brent crude dipped 0.07% to USD 72.64 a barrel.

“The near-term trend in the market will be influenced by the US jobs data to be published tonight,” said V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services.

The BSE benchmark on Thursday failed to hold on to initial gains and declined 151.48 points or 0.18% to settle at 82,201.16.

The NSE Nifty dipped 53.60 points or 0.21% to 25,145.10 despite a positive beginning of the trade.

Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd, said, all eyes are now on the upcoming August U.S. jobs report on Friday.

Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building in Mumbai.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Benchmark equity indices declined in early trade on July 5 amid profit-taking after a record rally in the last few trading sessions and selling in blue-chips HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank.

The 30-share BSE Sensex plunged 504.27 points to 79,545.40. The NSE Nifty slipped 105.30 points to 24,196.85.

Among the 30 Sensex companies, HDFC Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra, Titan, Tata Steel, ICICI Bank, IndusInd Bank, Power Grid, and Kotak Mahindra Bank were the major laggards.

Sun Pharmaceuticals, JSW Steel, Larsen & Toubro, Hindustan Unilever, Reliance Industries, Infosys and Tech Mahindra were among the gainers.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net buyers in the capital markets on Thursday, as they purchased shares worth ₹2,575.85 crore, according to exchange data.

“FIIs’ huge long position in the index derivatives and strong buying in the cash market can support the market in the near term. An important trigger may come from the U.S. jobs data expected on Friday.

“If the jobs data show a loosening labour market and a slowing economy, it can lead to rate cuts by the Fed in September,” V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said.

In Asian markets, Seoul quoted higher, while Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong traded lower.

“Most markets in the Asia-Pacific region traded lower due to the absence of cues from U.S. peers, with investors keenly awaiting the non-farm payroll data to be published later on Friday,” Avdhut Bagkar, Technical and Derivatives Analyst at StoxBox, said.

U.S. markets were closed on Thursday on the occasion of Independence Day.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude declined 0.37% to $87.11 a barrel.

On Thursday, the 30-share BSE Sensex scaled an intraday record high of 80,392.64 in early trade. Later, the Sensex closed 62.87 points or 0.08% higher at 80,049.67, its all-time closing high.

The broader Nifty also hit an intra-day record high of 24,401 in early trade before closing almost flat. The 50-issue index rose by 15.65 points or 0.06% to settle at a record 24,302.15.