Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty fell sharply by nearly 1% on Thursday (January 8, 2026), continuing their weak momentum for the fourth straight session, due to renewed concerns over potential U.S. tariff hikes amid widespread selling pressure in global markets.

Deep losses in metal, oil & gas, and commodity stocks amid unabated foreign fund outflows added to the pressure, analysts said.

The 30-share BSE Sensex tanked 780.18 points, or 0.92%, to settle at 84,180.96. During the day, it plummeted 851.04 points, or 1%, to 84,110.10.

The 50-share NSE Nifty tumbled 263.90 points or 1.01% to 25,876.85.

From the 30-Sensex firms, Larsen & Toubro, Tech Mahindra, Tata Consultancy Services, Reliance Industries, Tata Steel, and Trent were among the biggest laggards.

On the other hand, Eternal, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finance and Bharat Electronics were the gainers.

U.S. President Donald Trump has backed a sanctions bill that could impose 500% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, giving the White House leverage against countries like China and India to stop them from purchasing cheap oil from Moscow.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham on Wednesday (January 7, 2026) said the legislation would give the White House “tremendous leverage” against countries like China, India and Brazil to incentivise them to stop buying cheap oil from Russia.

“Domestic markets extended losses as sentiment turned cautious amid renewed concerns over U.S. tariffs and persistent Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) outflows, overshadowing optimism around earnings growth,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited said.

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

Markets in Europe were trading marginally lower. U.S. markets ended mostly lower on Wednesday (January 7).

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.75% to $60.42 per barrel.

On Wednesday (January 7), the Sensex declined 102.20 points, or 0.12%, to settle at 84,961.14. The Nifty went down by 37.95 points or 0.14% to 26,140.75.

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded in early trade on Wednesday (December 17, 2025) driven by value buying at lower levels and a positive trend in Asian markets.

Steady buying activity by domestic institutional investors also brought comfort to the markets, according to experts.

The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 201.23 points to 84,881.09 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty went up by 64.8 points to 25,924.90.

From the Sensex firms, Eternal, State Bank of India, Bajaj Finance, Axis Bank, Tata Consultancy Services and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles were among the major gainers.

However, ICICI Bank, Trent, HDFC Bank and Sun Pharma were among the laggards.

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

U.S. markets ended mostly lower on Tuesday (December 16).

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹2,381.92 crore on Tuesday (December 16), while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought stocks worth ₹1,077.48 crore, according to exchange data.

Steady domestic inflows through SIPs (Systematic Investment Plan) and insurance channels continue to provide a strong structural buffer, helping to limit downside risks, Ponmudi .R, CEO of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth tech firm, said.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, jumped 1.19% to $59.62 per barrel.

On Tuesday (December 16), the Sensex tanked 533.50 points or 0.63% to settle at 84,679.86. The Nifty dropped 167.20 points or 0.64% to 25,860.10.

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded in early trade on Wednesday (December 10, 2025) after two days of sharp decline amid value-buying at lower levels. The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 259.31 points, or 0.31%, to 84,925.59 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty went up by 64.65 points, or 0.25%, to 25,904.30.

Among the Sensex constituents, Adani Ports, Bajaj Finserv, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Steel, Trent, ITC, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, HCL Technologies, Reliance Industries, Tech Mahindra and UltraTech Cement were the gainers.

However, Eternal, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Titan, Bharti Airtel and Infosys were among the laggards.

In Asian markets, Shanghai’s SSE Composite index, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and Japan’s Nikkei 225 were trading in the negative territory, while South Korea’s KOSPI was quoting in the green zone.

Wall Street broadly ended lower in overnight deals on Tuesday (December 9).

Meanwhile, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained the net sellers of equities worth ₹3,760.08 crore on Tuesday, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought stocks worth ₹6,224.89 crore.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.15% to $62.03 per barrel.

On Tuesday (December 9), the 30-share BSE Sensex dropped 436.41 points to close at a nearly two-week low of 84,666.28. The 50-share NSE Nifty dropped by 120.90 points to settle at 25,839.65.