Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty faced significant pressure on Friday, tumbling nearly 1% amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The turmoil in the region has led to a spike in Brent crude oil prices, which, combined with weak global market cues, contributed to the downward trend. Investors remained cautious, leading to a broad-based sell-off that impacted various sectors, with banking, financial, and metal stocks being the most affected.
Despite the day’s initial losses, both Sensex and Nifty managed to recover slightly from their lows, thanks to last-minute buying in select sectors. However, the recovery was not enough to offset the broader negative sentiment that dominated the trading session. Analysts attribute the partial recovery to bargain hunting and some positive domestic economic indicators, which provided a glimmer of hope amidst the prevailing uncertainty.
In contrast to the struggling equity markets, gold surged to a record high as investors sought safety in the precious metal. The flight to gold is often seen during times of geopolitical instability, as it provides a hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations. This trend underscores the current market dynamics, where investors are balancing risk and safety in response to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
— Authored by Next24 Live