Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty drifted lower in early trade on Friday (January 9, 2026) amid relentless foreign fund outflows and renewed concerns over potential U.S. tariff hikes.

After a brief rebound in early trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex later declined 78.84 points to 84,102.12.

The 50-share NSE Nifty dipped 21.50 points to 25,850.85. From the 30-Sensex firms, ICICI Bank, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, NTPC, Adani Ports, Sun Pharma and Trent were among the biggest laggards.

However, Eternal, HCL Tech, Bharat Electronics and Asian Paints were among the gainers.

On Thursday (January 8), the Sensex tanked 780.18 points or 0.92% to settle at 84,180.96. The Nifty tumbled 263.90 points or 1.01% to 25,876.85.

In the past four days, the BSE benchmark has tanked 1,581.05 points or 1.84%, and the Nifty dropped 451.7 points or 1.71%.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹3,367.12 crore on Thursday (January 8), while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought stocks worth ₹3,701.17 crore, according to exchange data.

“Indian equity markets enter today’s session with a cautious undertone following the sharp sell-off in the previous trading day. Risk appetite remains subdued as global trade-related uncertainties continue to weigh on investor sentiment.

“Persistent concerns over potential U.S. tariff actions linked to India’s Russian oil imports have kept sentiment fragile, while the lack of visible progress in U.S.–India trade discussions is reinforcing institutional caution, particularly among foreign investors,” Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth tech firm, said.

In Asian markets, South Korea’s Kospi index, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index and Shanghai’s SSE Composite index traded higher, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index quoted lower.

U.S. markets ended on a mixed note on Thursday (January 8).

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, climbed 0.53% to $62.32 per barrel.

Benchmark index Sensex dropped by 367 points in its third straight day of losses on Friday (December 26, 2025) due to foreign fund outflows and lack of any major domestic triggers.

Falling for the third consecutive day, the 30-share BSE Sensex dropped 367.25 points or 0.43% to settle at 85,041.45 in a thin trade. During the day, it tanked 470.88 points or 0.55% to 84,937.82.

The 50-share NSE Nifty declined by 99.80 points or 0.38% to 26,042.30, registering its second day of decline.

From the 30-Sensex firms, Bajaj Finance, Asian Paints, HCL Tech, Tata Consultancy Services, Eternal and Sun Pharma were among the biggest laggards.

However, Titan, NTPC, Axis Bank, UltraTech Cement, Reliance Industries and Hindustan Unilever were the gainers.

In Asian markets, South Korea’s Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index and Shanghai’s SSE Composite index settled in positive territory.

Stock markets in Europe and Hong Kong were closed on Friday (December 26).

U.S. markets were closed on Thursday (December 25) for Christmas.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹1,721.26 crore on Wednesday (December 24), while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought stocks worth ₹2,381.34 crore, according to exchange data.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, climbed 0.31% up to $62.43 per barrel.

On Wednesday (December 24), the Sensex dropped by 116.14 points or 0.14% to settle at 85,408.70. The Nifty edged lower by 35.05 points or 0.13% to 26,142.10. The domestic stock markets were closed on Thursday (December 25) for Christmas.