Post by : Badri Ariffin

Equity markets ended lower on Friday, snapping a two-day winning streak as a sharp rise in volatility and weak global sentiment weighed on investor confidence. The session, marked by quick swings in both benchmarks, saw traders turn cautious amid renewed uncertainty surrounding ongoing US–India trade discussions.

The S&P BSE Sensex slipped over 400 points to close at 85,231, while the NSE Nifty50 managed to stay above the 26,000 mark despite broad selling pressure across key sectors.

Most broader market indices also reversed recent gains. Mid- and small-cap stocks, which have been witnessing a steady rebound, faced sharper cuts as traders opted for profit-booking. The spike in volatility kept intraday recovery attempts in check, pushing several heavyweights into the red.

Metal and financial stocks were among the worst hit on the Nifty50. Shares of JSW Steel, Hindalco, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finance and HCLTech closed notably lower. Weakness extended across the broader NSE list as well, with Maruti, Tata Consumer Products, Max Healthcare, IndiGo and M&M ending the day with significant declines.

Market mood tracked the downbeat trend in Asian equities after stronger-than-expected US non-farm payroll data cooled hopes of a December rate cut. A softer domestic manufacturing PMI and a weakening rupee also contributed to the cautious tone through the session.

With global macro indicators lined up and clarity awaited on trade negotiations, traders expect the market to remain choppy in the near term. For now, investors are closely watching foreign fund flows and international cues to gauge the next direction.

#Business News