Sensex Today, Stock Market LIVE Updates: Benchmark equity indices, the BSE Sensex and Nifty50, were trading lower on Friday, driven by broad-based selling across the stock markets. Investor sentiment remained cautious due to concerns over US President Donald Trump’s proposed plan to impose country-specific tariffs on imports from key trading partners.
As of 2:00 PM, the BSE Sensex was down by 645.25 points, or 0.85%, at 75,494. Meanwhile, the Nifty50 dropped 241 points, or 1.05%, to 22,790.50, falling below the 22,850-mark.
In the broader market, the Nifty MidCap index fell by 3.15%, and the Nifty SmallCap index lost 4.16%.
A Bloomberg report highlighted that the domestic stock market capitalization had fallen below the $4 trillion mark for the first time in more than 14 months, weighed down by a weak rupee against the US dollar and declining stock prices.
Sector-wise, all indices were in the red, with the Nifty Pharma index leading the losses, down over 3%. The Nifty Metal, Nifty Realty, and Nifty PSU Bank indices each dropped more than 2%, while the Nifty Bank index fell by 1%.
In the primary market, the Hexaware Technologies IPO closed for subscription, while the Quality Power Electrical Equipments IPO opened for subscription. In the SME segment, the Eleganz Interiors IPO began trading, while the Maxvolt Energy Industries IPO, Voler Car IPO, and PS Raj Steels IPO entered their final subscription day.
Additionally, the Tejas Cargo India IPO and Royalarc Electrodes IPO opened for subscription, while the Shanmuga Hospital IPO and L.K. Mehta Polymers IPO entered Day 2 of their subscription period.
Trump’s Tariff News
On Thursday evening, President Trump signed an order directing the US Trade Representative and the Commerce Secretary to devise new country-specific tariffs aimed at rebalancing trade relations. These far-reaching changes, according to Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for Commerce Secretary, may be implemented by April 1, 2025.
Trump also stated that he would impose additional import taxes on cars, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, beyond the reciprocal tariffs, at a later date.
Ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump remarked that India has more tariffs than nearly any other country. However, he added that both leaders are committed to strengthening ties and improving trade policies between the two nations.