Business

Indian Stock Market Opens Lower, Pharma Stocks Drag

The Indian benchmark indices opened lower on Wednesday amid mixed global cues as selling was seen in the pharma and IT sectors in the early trade. At around 9.31 am, Sensex was trading 271.06 points or 0.36 per cent down at 75,696.33 while the Nifty declined 88 points or 0.38 per cent at 22,857.30.

Nifty Bank was down 243.90 points or 0.50 per cent at 48,843.40. Nifty Midcap 100 index was trading at 49,366.90 after declining 384.55 points or 0.77 per cent.

Nifty Smallcap 100 index was at 15,093.70 after dropping 74.75 points or 0.49 per cent. On the technical front, a base appears to be forming around the 22800–22700 zone, aligning with the lower boundary of a Falling Wedge pattern, according to market watchers. “Strong support is evident at every 100-point interval, with key levels at 22600–22500, coinciding with the 127 per cent retracement of the early February rebound,” said Sameet Chavan of Angel One. “Given the recent price action, traders are advised to continue with a buy-on-dips approach,” he added.

Meanwhile, in the Sensex pack, Sun Pharma, Tech Mahindra, TCS, M&M, PowerGrid, ICICI Bank, Zomato, Infosys and Hindustan Unilever were the top losers.

Whereas, NTPC, Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Kotak Mahindra Bank, L&T and SBI were the top gainers. In the last trading session, Dow Jones gained 0.02 per cent to close at 44,556.34. The S&P 500 added 0.24 per cent to 6,129.58 and the Nasdaq climbed 0.07 per cent to close at 20,041.26. In the Asian markets, Seoul and China were trading in the green.

Whereas Bangkok, Japan, Jakarta and Hong Kong were trading in red. On the institutional front, after being net sellers for the past nine sessions, Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) turned buyers, purchasing equities worth Rs 4,786.56 crores on February 18.

Meanwhile, Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) extended their buying streak for the 10th consecutive session, acquiring equities worth Rs 3,072.19 crores on the same day.

Also Read: Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati Lauds Adani Group For Service At Maha Kumbh

IANS

Recent Posts

PM Modi Highlights Growing Ties With Jamaica And Strengthened Cooperation With Global South Partners At G20 Summit

PM Modi met Jamaican PM Andrew Holness at the G20 Summit and also held talks…

14 mins ago

7 Of The Top 10 Most Valued Firms Register Strong Gains

Seven of India’s top 10 most valued companies added over ₹1.28 lakh crore in market…

29 mins ago

PM Modi Calls For New IBSA Agriculture Fund To Boost Sustainability

Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed an IBSA Fund for Climate-Resilient Agriculture during the IBSA Leaders…

59 mins ago

Government Debunks Fake Letter Claiming IAF Plans To Scrap Tejas Fleet

PIB Fact Check has dismissed a fake letter circulating online that falsely claimed the Indian…

1 hour ago

PM Modi, South Africa’s Ramaphosa Push For Deeper Trade & Tech Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the…

1 hour ago

Kajal Suri Celebrated For Her Cultural Impact At Global Women’s Honour Event

Kajal Suri has been recognised at the 9th Dr Sarojini Naidu International Award for Working…

2 hours ago