23.03.202604:27:37UTC+00Sensex Falls Near 1-Year Low at Week Start

India’s BSE Sensex dropped about 1.7% to 73,249 on Monday, erasing the previous session’s gains and marking its lowest close since April 2025. Sentiment was hit by a broad sell-off across Asian markets amid rising crude oil prices and escalating geopolitical tensions. As a major oil importer, India now faces heightened worries over inflation, a widening trade deficit, pressure on the rupee, and the risk of slower economic growth.

Foreign portfolio investors reportedly withdrew around $9.57 billion in March, the biggest monthly outflow since October 2024. Company-specific news also weighed on the market: Petronet LNG’s target price was cut on concerns about potential supply disruptions; HDFC Bank came under pressure following the resignation of its chairman; State Bank of India faced scrutiny over tax demand issues; and Tata Power was affected by a fresh regulatory directive.

All sectors finished in negative territory, led by heavyweight financials. Major losers included HDFC Bank (-2.4%), ICICI Bank (-1.4%), Multi Commodity Exchange (-3.9%), State Bank of India (-3.3%), and BSE (-2.4%).