Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty buckled under selling pressure for the fifth straight session on Friday (January 9, 2026), falling nearly 1%, as investors turned cautious due to growing concerns over potential U.S. tariff hikes amid lingering geopolitical worries.

The relentless foreign capital flight from Indian markets also affected the market sentiment, traders said.

After a brief rebound in early trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex failed to carry forward the momentum and tumbled 604.72 points, or 0.72%, to sink below the 84,000-level and settle at 83,576.24. During the day, it dropped 778.68 points, or 0.92%, to 83,402.28.

The 50-share NSE Nifty dropped 193.55 points or 0.75% to 25,683.30.

From the 30-Sensex firms, NTPC, ICICI Bank, Adani Ports, Bharti Airtel, Sun Pharma and Bajaj Finance were among the biggest laggards.

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

On Thursday, the Sensex fell 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.

Foreign institutional investors offloaded equities worth ₹3,367.12 crore on Thursday, and Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought stocks worth ₹3,701.17 crore, according to exchange data.

“Domestic risk-off sentiment has intensified amid uncertainty surrounding U.S.-India tariff negotiations and escalating geopolitical tensions,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.

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

Markets in Europe were trading in positive territory. U.S. markets ended on a mixed note on Thursday.

“Indian equity markets remained under sustained pressure throughout the week, weighed down by elevated global trade uncertainty following renewed tariff-related remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump,” Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth tech firm, said.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.18% to $62.10 per barrel.

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended higher on Monday (October 20, 2025), taking their winning run to the fourth day in a row, driven by buying in blue-chip Reliance Industries and sustained foreign fund inflows.

A sharp rally in global markets also added to the markets’ optimism.

The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 411.18 points or 0.49% to settle at 84,363.37. During the day, it zoomed 704.37 points or 0.83% to 84,656.56.

The 50-share NSE Nifty surged 133.30 points or 0.52% to 25,843.15.

From the Sensex firms, Reliance Industries climbed 3.52% after the firm on Friday reported a 9.6% year-on-year rise in net profit for the September quarter, driven by strong performance in its consumer-facing retail and telecom businesses and a recovery in its core oil-to-chemicals segment.

Bajaj Finserv, Axis Bank, State Bank of India, Tata Consultancy Services, Titan and Bharti Airtel were also among the gainers.

However, ICICI Bank, Mahindra &Mahindra, Eternal, Adani Ports and Power Grid 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 settled higher.

Markets in Europe were trading in the green.

U.S. markets ended in positive territory on Friday.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth ₹308.98 crore on Friday, according to exchange data. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) also bought stocks worth ₹1,526.61 crore on the same day.

“The Indian market extended its upward march on Monday, carrying forward the festive rally ahead of the Diwali Muhurat trading session. The Nifty-50 climbed, driven by strong buying in index heavyweights such as Reliance Industries,” Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth tech firm, said.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude dipped 0.29% to $61.11 a barrel.

On Friday, the Sensex jumped 484.53 points or 0.58% settle at 83,952.19. The Nifty climbed 124.55 points or 0.49% to 25,709.85.

Last week, the BSE benchmark jumped 1,451.37 points or 1.75%, and the Nifty surged 424.5 points or 1.67%.

Stock exchanges BSE and NSE will conduct a special Muhurat trading session on Tuesday.

The symbolic trading session will be held between 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. The market will remain closed for regular trading on Tuesday, but a special trading window will be open for one hour.