Markets trade lower; Sensex slips 200 pts, Nifty 50 around 18k; Banking and financials worst hit

5 Apr 2022 , 09:41 AM

Indian markets extended losses after opened on a flat note amid high volatility during opening bells on Tuesday led by mixed sentiments on a broader-based level across global indices. At the domestic front, except bank, all other sectoral indices are trading in the green with auto index up 1.5%. Banking stocks were the worst hit led by HDFC twins down day after merger announcement.

At around 09:45 AM, Sensex was trading at 60,381.88 down by 229.86 points or 0.38%. Meanwhile, Nifty 50 was performing at 18,000.75 down by 52.65 points or 0.29%.

On NSE, banking and financial stocks were in a nosedive. Bajaj Finance took the top spot on the underperformers list on Nifty slipping by 2% followed by Bajaj Finserv, HDFC, HDFC Bank and Kotak Bank tumbling over 2% each. 

Stocks like IndusInd Bank, Divis Lab, Bharti Airtel, Reliance, Axis Bank were also trading in the red tracking broader markets.

In terms of sectoral indices, the NSE Banking nosedived by more than 350 points whereas Nifty Financial Services plunged over 200 points.

Notably, investors focus has also shifted to RBI’s first monetary policy for fiscal year FY23, which is set to be announced on April 08. The six-member monetary policy committee including RBI governor Shaktikanta Das will begin their 3-day policy meeting starting tomorrow.

Also, rising petrol and diesel prices is  also the major concern for investors as today the prices have been hiked by 80 paise a litre each this morning, taking the total increase in the last two weeks to Rs9.20 per litre.

On the global front, US markets start the week with a bang as Nasdaq jumps nearly 2% while Dow Jones closes higher by 100 points. Oil prices see rebound to close higher by over 3%, while bond yields close near 2.38%. Technology stocks lead the rally in anticipation of better then expected results.

Furthermore, Asian indices opened flat with most indices giving up early gains & trading lildly in the red.The Japanese ‘Nikkei’ was up over 230 points in early trade before trading down 15 as markets consolidate the recent gains.