Indian Equity Markets Plummet Amid Middle East Tensions and Crude Oil Price Volatility

Indian equity markets experienced their sharpest weekly decline in several months due to escalating Middle East tensions, rising crude-oil prices, and a weaker Rupee. The NIFTY50 declined by 2.3% to close at 23,767, while the Sensex fell 2.7% to 76,060.

The broader market also saw pressure, with the Nifty Smallcap 250 declining 2.3% to 17,601 and the Nifty Midcap 150 falling 1.2% to 22,685. Sectorally, selling was broad-based, with all major sectoral indices closing in the red.

The Nifty Private Bank index was the biggest laggard, declining 4.3% amid weakness in heavyweight lenders. Real-Estate fell 4%, followed by Capital Markets, Oil & Gas and IT. Defensive pockets showed relative strength, with FMCG gaining 0.6% and Auto rising 0.4%.