Closing Bell: Nifty Logs Sharpest Fall in Two Weeks Amid Geopolitical Tensions; Nifty IT Posts Best Weekly Gains Since June 2024, Maruti Declares Rs 135 Final Dividend

The correction was even more pronounced in the broader markets. The Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices slid by 2.55 per cent and 2.45 per cent.

The Indian benchmark indices surrendered early gains to end sharply lower on Friday, as escalating geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan rattled investor sentiment. The NSE Nifty 50 declined by 0.86 per cent, while the BSE Sensex fell by 0.74 per cent. The Nifty 50 index logged its steepest single-day decline in two weeks, weighed down by concerns over ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Adding to the nervousness, India’s volatility gauge—the India VIX—spiked 5.6 per cent, breaching the 17-mark, which reflects rising anxiety among market participants. Nonetheless, despite the turmoil on Friday, the Nifty 50 managed to post a weekly gain of 0.79 per cent, comfortably staying above the 24,000 level.

Sectoral Snapshot: IT Stands Tall Amid Sell-off

A sector-wise breakdown showed widespread weakness, with all major indices closing in negative territory except for Nifty IT, which bucked the trend and rose 0.72 per cent. Nifty Media and Nifty Realty bore the brunt of the sell-off, losing 3.24 per cent and 2.8 per cent, respectively. For the week, however, most sectors ended in the green, barring Nifty Media, FMCG, and Financial Services. Notably, Nifty IT surged over 6 per cent during the week, marking its strongest weekly performance since June 2024.

Broader Markets Face the Heat

The correction was even more pronounced in the broader markets. The Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices slid by 2.55 per cent and 2.45 per cent, respectively, underlining the risk aversion among investors. The overall market breadth was decisively negative, with 2,213 stocks declining and only 256 advancing—clearly reflecting bearish undertones.

Stock in Focus: Maruti Suzuki India

Shares of Maruti Suzuki India fell 1.65 per cent after the company reported a drop in Q4FY25 net profit. Despite the subdued earnings, the Board recommended a final dividend of Rs 135 per share for FY25. 

Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.