Mumbai: Indian stock markets ended a volatile trading session on a subdued note as investors booked profits in consumer goods and banking counters while selectively buying technology stocks. The BSE Sensex slipped 69.86 points (0.09%) to close at 76,765.92, while the NSE Nifty 50 fell 10.60 points (0.04%) to 23,985.35.
Market participants remained focused on quarterly earnings, global crude oil prices, and geopolitical developments affecting investor sentiment. Weakness in heavyweight FMCG companies, particularly after disappointing earnings from sector leaders, weighed on the broader market. Banking stocks also witnessed selling pressure, limiting gains recorded in information technology shares.
The Nifty IT index emerged as the day's strongest performer, supported by buying in large-cap technology companies. However, declines in FMCG, private banks, PSU banks, and energy stocks kept the headline indices under pressure. Broader markets delivered mixed performance, reflecting continued investor caution during the ongoing earnings season.
Analysts believe market direction in the coming sessions will depend on corporate earnings, movements in crude oil prices, global economic signals, and foreign institutional investor activity. Investors are expected to remain stock-specific while monitoring macroeconomic developments closely.
