Overview
- The Sensex fell to 77,472.94 and the Nifty closed at 24,207.75 after early gains were erased by profit‑taking concentrated in IT, FMCG and auto stocks on Wednesday.
- Brent crude dropped into the mid‑$80s per barrel on reports of Iran‑Qatar/Oman diplomatic contacts, and analysts said the decline is a near‑term positive because lower oil reduces import costs and inflation risk for India.
- Foreign flows turned mixed during the week with FIIs buying about ₹1,593.5 crore on Tuesday but provisional NSE data showing FPIs as net sellers of roughly ₹502.6 crore on Wednesday, adding to short‑term uncertainty.
- Heavyweight names including Infosys, Bharti Airtel and Reliance were among the session laggards while select banks, metals and cement stocks outperformed, reflecting sector rotation rather than broad market strength.
- Technicians describe the Nifty as range‑bound with immediate resistance near 24,350–24,400 and support around 24,100–24,200, and traders say the next moves in crude, US inflation data and FII flows will determine whether the market breaks out or slides lower.