Stock markets end lower on foreign fund outflows, selling in blue-chips

Mumbai, Jan 13: Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended lower on Tuesday after a day’s breather, as investors pared exposure to index majors Reliance Industries, L&T and Bharti Airtel amid global tariff-related concerns.

Market sentiment was also sluggish due to a weak start to the earnings season and continued flight of foreign capital from Indian markets, according to traders.

In a volatile trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex dropped 250.48 points, or 0.30 per cent, to settle at 83,627.69. During the day, it declined 615.38 points, or 0.73 per cent, to 83,262.79. The 50-share NSE Nifty edged lower by 57.95 points or 0.22 per cent to 25,732.30.

The session began on a negative note following disappointing results from IT major TCS and drifted lower for most of the session, though a rebound in the final hour trimmed some losses.

“Domestic equities experienced a downturn due to renewed concerns about potential US tariffs on countries trading with Iran, overshadowing the initial optimism from the newly appointed US ambassador’s positive statements on the trade deal. Investor sentiment remained cautious amidst the rupee’s weakness, rising crude prices, higher US bond yields, and persistent FII outflows.