Indian equity markets ended marginally lower on Thursday, as elevated crude oil prices and positioning ahead of the weekly Sensex expiry kept investors cautious despite a supportive global backdrop. The NSE Nifty50 ended at 24,395.85, down 40.10 points, or 0.16%, while the Sensex fell 113.61 points, or 0.15%, to close at 78,079.96.
Analysts suggest that the market continues to exhibit resilience but lacks a strong directional trigger. While expectations of a less restrictive US monetary policy have improved the global investment backdrop, elevated crude prices and geopolitical uncertainty are keeping domestic investors cautious. “Until there is greater clarity on energy markets, Indian equities are likely to remain range-bound, with corporate earnings and stock-specific developments continuing to drive market performance,” said Hariselvan Radhakrishnan, Founder & CEO of HST Wealth.
