Sensex Slumps 456 Points, Nifty Ends Below 24,600 as Global Tensions Weigh on Market Sentiment

On Friday, the main stock indexes closed lower due to profit‑taking in financial and private‑bank shares and heightened geopolitical worries that dampened investor confidence.

Although the overall market showed relative strength, declines in large‑cap financial stocks dragged the indices into the red.

The Nifty slipped 65.35 points, a 0.27% drop, to finish at 24,570.65, and the Sensex fell 455.59 points, or 0.58%, closing at 78,499.17.

Analysts noted that the 24,600–24,700 band continues to act as a key resistance level for the Nifty.

“On the downside, 24,500 serves as the immediate support. A clear breach below this level could spark additional profit‑taking and push the index toward the 24,400–24,300 range,” an analyst commented.

Investor mood stayed cautious all day as they reduced their holdings in financial‑sector stocks.

The Nifty Financial Services and Nifty Private Bank indexes posted the poorest performance among sectoral indices, weighing heavily on the overall market.

Within the Nifty basket, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv and Trent led the losers, pulling the index lower.

Even though the headline indices weakened, the broader market held up; the Nifty MidCap gained 0.22% and the Nifty SmallCap edged down 0.05%.

On the sector side, auto and information‑technology stocks offered some backing to the market.

The Nifty Auto and Nifty IT indexes were the leading gainers among major sectoral gauges, helping to curb the benchmark declines.

Analysts noted that today’s trade displayed a risk‑off attitude, as geopolitical anxieties eclipsed gains in certain sectors and kept overall sentiment subdued.

“SBI’s solid showing, backed by robust credit growth, better asset quality and steady margins, has bolstered confidence in banking and PSU‑bank stocks, providing a key support for the wider market outlook,” a market expert said.