The Indian stock market today saw major benchmark indices end lower due to subdued quarterly results and global uncertainties. Both the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 declined as investor sentiment turned cautious ahead of further earnings releases and following comments on India-US trade relations. Sensex closed at 82,259 points, down 375 points or 0.45% from the previous session. Nifty 50 finished at 25,111, losing about 100.6 points or 0.40% for the day. Market volatility remained high due to concerns about the IT sector’s earnings, banking sector pressures, and broader global cues.

Sector Performance Highlights
Banking sector lost ground, with Nifty Bank index snapping its three-day winning streak. Weakness in key constituents like IndusInd Bank contributed to the decline. Financials overall saw their second consecutive day of losses.

IT emerged as the biggest losing sector. Nifty IT index ended firmly in the red, dragged by sharp declines in Tech Mahindra and significant selling in LTIMindtree and Infosys following uninspiring quarterly results. IT stocks underperformed due to both domestic results and global demand concerns.

Auto performed strongly, marking its fourth consecutive day of gains. Key stocks like Balkrishna Industries and Apollo Tyres led the charge in this segment, supporting the overall market breadth.

Pharma sector was mixed today, lacking a common direction. However, it has shown steady performance recently, aided by resilience in domestic demand and increased focus on exports and healthcare investments.

Top 5 Gainers
Tata Steel +2.8%
M&M +2.4%
Trent +2.0%
Sterlite Technologies +4.5%
Balkrishna Industries +2.1%

Top 5 Losers
Tech Mahindra -5.1%
Infosys -3.8%
HCL Tech -3.2%
IndusInd Bank -2.7%
LTIMindtree -2.5%

FII/DII Net Flows
Latest data points to cautious activity from both FIIs and DIIs as markets digested results and awaited further clarity on global economic policies. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were modest net sellers, booking profits on large-cap IT and banking stocks. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) provided some support, but were largely defensive, adding selectively to auto and consumption names.

Key Macro-Economic & Global Drivers
Several factors drove the Indian stock market today including muted results from top IT companies during earnings season, comments from US President Donald Trump on India-US trade relationships and new tariff threats, the rupee trading at Rs 86.0 against the US dollar adding pressure on import-dependent sectors, sector rotation favoring autos, realty, and select metals over IT and banking stocks, and continued global geopolitical uncertainty along with F&O expiry leading to elevated intraday volatility.

What to Watch Next
Investors should monitor upcoming quarterly earnings from major banks and FMCG companies, developments on India-US trade agreements and global tariff trends, continued shifts in FII/DII flows especially in response to economic data or RBI decisions, and potential further sector rotation if rural and consumption-linked sectors outperform amidst macro headwinds.