Sensex Falls 200 Points to Trade at 82,450

The Indian stock markets witnessed a downward trend today as the Sensex fell by 200 points, currently trading at 82,450, while the Nifty slipped by 60 points. The decline was mainly driven by heavy selling in IT and private banking stocks, which weighed heavily on overall investor sentiment.

From the opening bell, markets showed signs of weakness, with key indices slipping into the red amid global uncertainties and mixed earnings cues. Traders and analysts pointed toward persistent foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows and profit booking in heavyweight sectors as the primary reasons behind today’s drop.

IT stocks, which had seen a good run in previous weeks, were under sharp pressure today. Leading tech players such as Infosys, TCS, and Wipro saw notable declines as investors reacted to cautious commentary on future growth amid global economic concerns, particularly from the US and Europe.

Simultaneously, private banking giants like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank also faced significant selling pressure. Analysts attributed this to short-term concerns around loan growth moderation and upcoming quarterly results that may reflect margin pressure due to rising costs.

Despite the overall negative sentiment, some defensive sectors like FMCG and Pharma managed to hold steady, limiting the downside to some extent. Stocks like HUL and Sun Pharma posted marginal gains, providing a breather to the falling indices.

Market experts believe the current correction is healthy and expected, especially after the recent record highs. “This seems like a temporary profit-booking phase. Investors are being cautious ahead of key global macroeconomic data releases and earnings announcements,” said a senior market analyst from a leading brokerage.

The volatility index (VIX) also inched up, reflecting growing nervousness among traders. Many are now waiting for cues from the upcoming US inflation data and commentary from the Federal Reserve, which could set the tone for global markets in the coming weeks.

For now, investors are advised to stay cautious, avoid panic selling, and focus on fundamentally strong stocks with long-term growth potential. As markets remain sensitive to both domestic and global triggers, the coming sessions will be crucial in determining short-term direction.