Indian equity markets extended their losing streak on Thursday, with the benchmark Sensex falling more than 570 points as persistent foreign fund outflows, elevated bond yields and rising crude oil prices weighed on investor sentiment. The decline marked the fourth consecutive session of losses for both major indices.
The 30-share BSE Sensex dropped 570.59 points, or 0.79 per cent, to close at 71,909.70. During the session, the index came under heavier pressure and fell as much as 1,187 points, touching 71,292.88. The broader NSE Nifty also declined 198.50 points, or 0.88 per cent, ending at 22,421.95.
Foreign investors remained a major source of pressure. Foreign Institutional Investors sold Indian equities worth ₹10,148.41 crore on September 29, according to exchange data, reinforcing concerns about continued capital withdrawals from domestic markets.
Global factors also added to the selling pressure. Brent crude prices climbed 2.77 per cent to around $100.8 a barrel, raising concerns about inflation and the broader economic outlook. At the same time, the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield moved towards 5.34 per cent, increasing the relative attractiveness of dollar-denominated assets and potentially making emerging-market equities less appealing to foreign investors.
Among Sensex constituents, Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Steel, Adani Ports, ITC, Power Grid, Hindustan Unilever and Eternal were among the notable laggards. Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, HCL Technologies and HDFC Bank bucked the broader trend.
