Sensex Today | Stock Market LIVE Updates: Indian equity benchmarks began the final trading session of the financial quarter on a weak note, opening in the red. The Sensex plunged over 1,000 points at the opening bell, while the Nifty slipped nearly 300 points. Banking stocks, particularly Nifty Bank and Nifty PSU Bank, emerged as the biggest laggards.
Gold and silver futures declined by around 2% and 1.32%, respectively. Meanwhile, global crude oil prices surged sharply, with Brent crude rising up to 3.66% to touch an intraday high of $116.70 per barrel, nearing a 52-week peak.
In the previous session, the Nifty settled at 22,819.60, down 486.85 points (2.09%), while the BSE Sensex closed at 73,583.22, falling 1,690.23 points (2.25%).
Key Market Updates – March 30, 2026
- The rupee weakened significantly, breaching the crucial 95 mark against the US dollar for the first time, hitting a record low of 95.24.
- By 2 PM, the Nifty50 was down 1.72% (392.85 points) at 22,426.75, while the Sensex dropped 1.81% (1,334.71 points) to 72,252.76.
- Earlier at 1 PM, the Nifty traded 1.37% lower at 22,508, and the Sensex declined 1.44% to 72,525.54.
- Foreign investors continued heavy selling, pulling out nearly $12 billion from Indian equities amid global risk aversion and rising energy costs.
Market Drivers
Several factors contributed to the sharp decline in equities:
- Escalating geopolitical tensions due to the Iran conflict
- Crude oil prices nearing $120 per barrel
- Weak global market cues
- Sustained foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows
- RBI’s restrictions on banks’ forex positions
Sectoral Trends
Broad-based selling was visible across sectors including banking, financials, IT, auto, FMCG, and real estate. However, selective buying was seen in metals, media, and oil & gas stocks, which showed relative resilience.
Volatility & Investor Sentiment
The India VIX, a key volatility indicator, surged past the 28 mark, reflecting heightened market uncertainty. Investors remained cautious, with defensive positioning dominating and limited buying interest in commodity-linked sectors.
Global Market Impact
The ongoing Middle East conflict triggered volatility across global financial markets, affecting equities, currencies, and commodities alike. Major global indices, including those in Asia and Europe, also traded lower amid rising recession and inflation concerns.
