Sensex falls below 73,000-mark; Nifty drops 50 points on weak global peers, relentless FII selling

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty plunged in early trade on Tuesday (March 4, 2025), tracking a weak trend in the global markets, incessant foreign fund outflows and concerns over U.S. tariffs.

According to experts, the weak global market, concerns over a global trade war, and continued foreign institutional investors (FII) selling have negatively impacted the domestic market.

The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 139.45 points or 0.19% to 72,946.49 in the morning trade.

On the similar lines, the NSE Nifty opened below the 22,000-level by declining 144.85 points or 0.66% to 21,974.45. Later, it recouped some of its losses and was trading 64.50 points or 0.29% lower at 22,054.80.

From the Sensex pack, Nestle India, HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra, Bharti Airtel, Titan, Infosys, Asian Paints, NTPC, Bajaj Finserv and Sun Pharmaceuticals were among the laggards.

State Bank of India, IndusInd Bank, Zomato, Tata Steel, ICICI Bank, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Consultancy Services and Adani Ports were the gainers.

President Donald Trump said on Monday (March 3) that 25% taxes on imports from Mexico and Canada will take shape on Tuesday, sparking renewed fears of a global trade war.

Additionally, an extra 10% tariff is being imposed on China.

“President Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China raise uncertainty, which could deepen Nifty’s mild decline if trade tensions worsen. Further, FIIs have sold over Rs 4,08,984 crore this fiscal year, creating fear in the market,” Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd., said.

In Asian markets, Tokyo and Hong Kong were trading lower, while Shanghai and Seoul were quoting flat.

U.S. markets ended lower in overnight deals on Monday (March 3).

Global oil benchmark Brent crude slipped 0.63% to $71.17 a barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 4,788.29 crore on Monday (March 3), according to exchange data.

On Monday (March 3), the 30-share BSE benchmark declined by 112.16 points to close at 73,085.94. Extending losses to the ninth session, the NSE Nifty slipped 5.40 points to settle at 22,119.30.