The Indian stock market remained weak for the fifth week in a row, with both the Sensex and Nifty falling to their lowest levels in nearly three months. Investor sentiment was affected by rising crude oil prices due to US-Iran tensions, a weaker Indian rupee, and continued selling by foreign investors. However, buying by domestic institutional investors (DIIs) helped reduce the overall decline.
Market Performance
Rupee Performance
The Indian rupee recorded its biggest weekly decline in almost four months.
- Closed at ₹95.55 per US dollar, compared with ₹94.49 the previous week.
- The fall was mainly due to higher crude oil prices and strong demand for the US dollar.
Smallcap & Midcap Stocks
- Nifty Smallcap 100: Fell nearly 1%.
- Major losers: IFCI, Afcons Infrastructure, Brigade Enterprises, IDBI Bank, Zensar Technologies, Urban Company, and IIFL Finance, falling up to 18%.
- Top gainers: Pine Labs, PhysicsWallah, Bandhan Bank, Aegis Logistics, Redington, Five-Star Business Finance, Data Patterns, and Swan Corp, rising 5%–21%.
- Nifty Midcap 100: Declined 1.4%.
- Midcap decliners: Godrej Properties, SAIL, PI Industries, Cochin Shipyard, Oberoi Realty, Coforge, and Godfrey Phillips.
- Midcap gainers: Paytm, Laurus Labs, GE Vernova T&D India, Blue Star, and Yes Bank.
Market Value
The total market value of all BSE-listed companies fell by nearly ₹7 lakh crore during the week.
- Biggest drags: Reliance Industries, Infosys, TCS, and ICICI Bank.
- Biggest positive contributors: Adani Ports, Power Grid, and NTPC.
Sector Performance
All major sectors closed in the red:
- Realty: -6.5%
- IT: -5.7%
- Metal: -2.4%
- Oil & Gas: -2.2%
- PSU Bank, Media, and FMCG: Around -2% each
Investor Activity
- Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs): Sold shares worth ₹1,795 crore (fourth straight week of selling).
- Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs): Bought shares worth ₹6,419 crore, helping support the market.
Overall Summary: The Indian stock market had another weak week due to global tensions, rising oil prices, a weaker rupee, and continued foreign investor selling. While domestic investors continued to buy, it was not enough to prevent the market from falling.