Stock market today: BSE Sensex and Nifty50, the Indian equity benchmark indices, tanked in opening trade on Monday. While BSE Sensex dipped over 500 points, Nifty50 went below 22,650. At 9:17 AM, BSE Sensex was trading at 74,776.02, down 535 points or 0.71%. Nifty50 was at 22,627.35, down 169 points or 0.74%.
Markets experienced a narrow trading range last week, concluding approximately half a percent lower as the correction phase continued. The upcoming shortened trading week is likely to see volatility due to February derivatives expiry, whilst attention remains on FII flow patterns and US tariff policy developments.
According to Dr. V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services, “FII selling continues unabated in the Indian stock market. After Trump’s victory in US presidential elections, the US market has been attracting huge capital inflows from the rest of the world. But recently, China has emerged as a major destination of portfolio flows. The Chinese president’s new initiatives with their leading businessmen have kindled hopes of a growth recovery in China. Since Chinese stocks continue to be cheap, this ‘Sell India, Buy China’ trade may continue. But this trade has happened in the past and experience is that it will fizzle out soon since there are structural problems constraining Chinese economic revival Revival of FII investment in India will happen when economic growth and corporate earnings revive. Indications of that are likely to happen in two to three months.”
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US equities declined on Friday, continuing their downward trend following disappointing economic data in a holiday-shortened week marked by tariff concerns and consumer spending worries.
European markets stabilised whilst Asian markets showed mixed performance on Monday following German election results. Wall Street futures strengthened as investors await Nvidia’s results.
Gold remained stable near record levels on Monday, buoyed by concerns regarding US President Donald Trump’s tariff intentions, with attention turning to upcoming US inflation data.
Foreign portfolio investors sold net Rs 3,449 crore on Friday, whilst domestic institutional investors purchased Rs 2,885 crore worth of shares.
FII net short position remained unchanged at Rs 1.92 lakh crore from Thursday to Friday.
