India’s BSE Sensex slipped further on Monday, opening about 2.9% lower near 76,674 in morning trade, extending the previous session’s losses and hitting its lowest level since April 2025. Sentiment deteriorated amid escalating conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
Oil prices continued their upward surge, reaching their highest levels since 2022, while equity markets in Asia and the US also reacted negatively to the mounting geopolitical tensions. Investor confidence remained fragile worldwide, as persistently elevated energy prices risk stoking inflationary pressures and potentially slowing economic growth.
India is scheduled to release its February inflation data on Thursday, following a January reading of 2.75%, which exceeded market expectations of 2.4%.
All sectors opened in negative territory, with financials leading the declines. Among the most notable early losers were Shriram Finance (-6.1%), Tata Steel (-5.4%), State Bank of India (-4.8%), ICICI Bank (-3.8%), and HDFC Bank (-3.7%).
