NIFTY 750 TOTAL MKT

Sensex and Nifty hit 11-month and 10-month lows in global selloff., West Asia conflict and rising crude prices spook investors., Rupee hits record low, India VIX surges 22 percent to 20.83.

* Sensex and Nifty hit 11-month and 10-month lows in global selloff.
* West Asia conflict and rising crude prices spook investors.
* Rupee hits record low, India VIX surges 22 percent to 20.83.

Sensex and Nifty plunged over 2% to multi-month lows amid escalating West Asia conflict, rising crude prices, weak global cues, FII selling, and a record low rupee. All sectoral indices fell, volatility surged, and analysts warned of further downside.

shorts/business/sensex-crashes-1-700-pts-nifty-below-24-400-raging-middle-east-conflict-among-key-factors-behind-market-decline

* Sensex and Nifty hit 11-month and 10-month lows in global selloff.
* West Asia conflict and rising crude prices spook investors.
* Rupee hits record low, India VIX surges 22 percent to 20.83.

The equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty plunged on Wednesday, mirroring a weak global trend amid an escalation in the West Asia conflict that pushed crude oil prices higher.

The Sensex tanked 1,700 points, or 2.24 percent, to hit an 11-month low of 78,443.2. The broader Nifty slumped 2.25 percent to a 10-month low of 24,305.4 as of 10:10 am.

Among the major laggards in the Nifty pack were <a href="https://www.moneycontrol.com/india/stockpricequote/diversified/grasimindustries/GI01">Grasim Industries</a>, <a href="https://www.moneycontrol.com/india/stockpricequote/plantations-teacoffee/tataconsumerproducts/TT">Tata Consumer Products</a> and SBI Life Insurance Company, which fell up to 4 percent. Market breadth remained negative, with 759 shares advancing, 2,945 declining and 134 remaining unchanged.

All the 16 major sectoral indices were trading in the red. The broader indices also witnessed heavy selling, with the Nifty Smallcap 100 and Nifty Midcap 100 declining over 2 percent each.
<h3>Key factors behind market crash</h3>
1) West Asia conflict: The ongoing conflict in West Asia continued to weigh on investor sentiment. Iran carried out fresh strikes on several Gulf countries in retaliation for the joint attack by Israel and the US, while the US and Israel also launched further strikes on Iran. The escalation has raised concerns over supply disruptions and higher crude prices.

"With the war escalating and crude oil rising, markets are going into a period of heightened uncertainty. Nobody knows how long this conflict will go on and what will be the extent of havoc it could wreak. From the perspective of India, which relies on imports for around 85 percent of oil requirements, the real concern is the potential inflation and its consequences on economic growth," VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments, said.

He added that the possibility of a widening trade deficit, currency depreciation, higher inflation and slower growth were key concerns from a market perspective.

2) Crude jumps: Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.87 percent to USD 82.11 per barrel. It had settled at its highest level since January 2025 in the previous session and has gained nearly 17 percent in the last four sessions. Higher oil prices are seen as negative for major importers like India.

Macquarie analysts, led by Suresh Ganapathy, told Reuters that any sharp spike in oil prices could have implications for India’s current account deficit, fiscal deficit and inflation, and may also put pressure on the rupee.
<h3><a href="https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/markets/sensex-today-stock-market-today-live-updates-liveblog-13850027.html" target="_blank">Stock Market Live Updates</a></h3>
3) Weak global cues: <a href="https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/markets/korea-exchange-activates-circuit-breakers-as-kospi-crashes-8-in-opening-trade-13850100.html" target="_blank">South Korea’s Kospi plunged over 10 percent</a>, while Japan’s Nikkei 225, Shanghai’s SSE Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng were trading sharply lower. US markets ended in the negative territory on Tuesday.

4) FII selling: Foreign Institutional Investors offloaded equities worth Rs 3,295.64 crore on Monday. Sustained selling by overseas investors exerts pressure on domestic markets as it leads to capital outflows and weighs on liquidity and sentiment.

5) Weak rupee: The rupee slumped 69 paise to hit an all-time low of 92.18 against the US dollar in early trade on Wednesday, tracking a spike in crude oil prices and persistent geopolitical tensions. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the domestic currency opened at 92.05 and touched an early low of 92.18, down 69 paise from its previous close.

6) Vix rises: The India VIX, the volatility gauge, surged 22 percent to 20.83, its highest level since May 2025. A sharp rise in the VIX indicates increased market volatility and heightened uncertainty among investors.
<h3>Technical view</h3>
Anand James, Chief Market Strategist at Geojit Investments, said recovery attempts after the gap-down opening would need to sustain above 24,500 to prevent further weakness. Failing this, the Nifty could slip towards the 24,000–23,550 levels. He advised caution in view of the spike in volatility and the likelihood of sharp swings.

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

A financial journalist with over 10 years of experience, specialising in tracking stock market movements and fundamental developments that impact investors and the broader economy. A keen observer of global financial markets, I regularly engage with leading market voices to write stories. At Moneycontrol, I focus on decoding market trends, policy shifts and economic changes, driven by a constant passion to learn, analyse, and share knowledge with my readers.

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Sensex crashes 1,700 pts, Nifty below 24,400: Raging Middle East conflict among key factors behind market decline

Stock Market Crash: Sensex falls 1,700 pts, Nifty below 24,400 - Raging Middle East conflict among key factors behind market decline

The equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty plunged on Wednesday, mirroring a weak global trend amid an escalation in the West Asia conflict that pushed crude oil prices higher.

The Sensex tanked 1,700 points, or 2.24 percent, to hit an 11-month low of 78,443.2. The broader Nifty slumped 2.25 percent to a 10-month low of 24,305.4 as of 10:10 am.

Among the major laggards in the Nifty pack were Grasim Industries, Tata Consumer Products and SBI Life Insurance Company, which fell up to 4 percent. Market breadth remained negative, with 759 shares advancing, 2,945 declining and 134 remaining unchanged.

All the 16 major sectoral indices were trading in the red. The broader indices also witnessed heavy selling, with the Nifty Smallcap 100 and Nifty Midcap 100 declining over 2 percent each.
Key factors behind market crash
1) West Asia conflict: The ongoing conflict in West Asia continued to weigh on investor sentiment. Iran carried out fresh strikes on several Gulf countries in retaliation for the joint attack by Israel and the US, while the US and Israel also launched further strikes on Iran. The escalation has raised concerns over supply disruptions and higher crude prices.

&quot;With the war escalating and crude oil rising, markets are going into a period of heightened uncertainty. Nobody knows how long this conflict will go on and what will be the extent of havoc it could wreak. From the perspective of India, which relies on imports for around 85 percent of oil requirements, the real concern is the potential inflation and its consequences on economic growth,&quot; VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments, said.

He added that the possibility of a widening trade deficit, currency depreciation, higher inflation and slower growth were key concerns from a market perspective.

2) Crude jumps: Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.87 percent to USD 82.11 per barrel. It had settled at its highest level since January 2025 in the previous session and has gained nearly 17 percent in the last four sessions. Higher oil prices are seen as negative for major importers like India.

Macquarie analysts, led by Suresh Ganapathy, told Reuters that any sharp spike in oil prices could have implications for India’s current account deficit, fiscal deficit and inflation, and may also put pressure on the rupee.
Stock Market Live Updates
3) Weak global cues: South Korea’s Kospi plunged over 10 percent, while Japan’s Nikkei 225, Shanghai’s SSE Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng were trading sharply lower. US markets ended in the negative territory on Tuesday.

4) FII selling: Foreign Institutional Investors offloaded equities worth Rs 3,295.64 crore on Monday. Sustained selling by overseas investors exerts pressure on domestic markets as it leads to capital outflows and weighs on liquidity and sentiment.

5) Weak rupee: The rupee slumped 69 paise to hit an all-time low of 92.18 against the US dollar in early trade on Wednesday, tracking a spike in crude oil prices and persistent geopolitical tensions. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the domestic currency opened at 92.05 and touched an early low of 92.18, down 69 paise from its previous close.

6) Vix rises: The India VIX, the volatility gauge, surged 22 percent to 20.83, its highest level since May 2025. A sharp rise in the VIX indicates increased market volatility and heightened uncertainty among investors.
Technical view
Anand James, Chief Market Strategist at Geojit Investments, said recovery attempts after the gap-down opening would need to sustain above 24,500 to prevent further weakness. Failing this, the Nifty could slip towards the 24,000–23,550 levels. He advised caution in view of the spike in volatility and the likelihood of sharp swings.

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

Iran War Rages On, Global Market Sell Off Continues: What Next For Nifty? | Opening Bell

Indian equity benchmarks, the Sensex and Nifty, are likely to open on a weak note today, March 4, tracking losses in GIFT Nifty, which was trading lower at around 24,458.50 in early indications.

Track the latest updates on GIFT Nifty right here on Moneycontrol.

The Indian equity indices fell more than 1% on March 2 amid weak global cues, as escalating tensions between the US and Iran pushed crude oil prices sharply higher, dampening investor sentiment.

At close, the Sensex was down 1,048.34 points or 1.29 percent at 80,238.85, and the Nifty was down 312.95 points or 1.24 percent at 24,865.70.

Here is how financial markets across the globe fared overnight:

GIFT Nifty (Falls)

The GIFT Nifty was trading lower at around 24,458.50, indicating a gap-down opening.

Asian Equities (Down)

Asian stocks extended their slide into a third day and oil edged up as the war in Iran threatens to unleash a wave of global inflation and traders pare bets for interest-rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.



US Equities (Slip)

US stocks ended sharply lower on Tuesday as investors worried the Middle East ​conflict may persist long enough to ramp up inflation.

Selling was broad-based and the Cboe Volatility index registered its highest ‌closing level since November. Still, indexes finished well off their lows of the day, with the S&amp;amp;P 500 ending down 0.9% after falling more than 2% early in the session.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 403.51 points, or 0.83%, to 48,501.27, the S&amp;amp;P 500 lost 64.99 points, or 0.94%, to 6,816.63 ​and the Nasdaq Composite lost 232.17 points, or 1.02%, to 22,516.69.



Dollar Index (Gains)

The dollar rallied to a three-month high in early trading in Asia on Wednesday, with investors retreating from the euro as the growing conflict in the Middle East sparked fears of a sustained rise in energy prices.



US Bond Yield (Flat)

The US Treasury 10-year yield down marginally at 4.05%, while 2-year yield was up at 3.51%.



Asian Currencies (Down)

Asian currencies were trading mostly lower in early Wednesday trade with Taiwan Dollar leading the losers followed by Philippines Peso, China Renminbi, Singapore Dollar, Thai Baht.



Crude (Up)

Benchmark Brent crude oil futures are up more than 12% for the week at $81.40 a barrel, though they came off highs after US President Donald Trump ordered an insurance guarantee on Gulf shipping and said the navy may escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary.



Gold (Gains)

Gold rose, after tumbling more than 4% in the previous session, as traders weighed a stronger dollar
against demand for safer assets as war escalates in the Middle East.



Fund Flow Action

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) extended their selling for the third consecutive session on March 2, offloading equities worth Rs 3,295 crore. On the other hand, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) continued their buying streak for the fifth straight day, purchasing equities worth over Rs 8,593 crore.



Hope you're all set for today's trade. We wish you a profitable day ahead.

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

First Tick: Top global cues to watch in today’s trade

Prolonged heightened tensions likely even if US-Israel-Iran conflict stops short of full-scale war, See early signs of an earnings pickup, Be cautious and avoid making strong sectoral preferences solely based on short-term geopolitical developments

* Prolonged heightened tensions likely even if US-Israel-Iran conflict stops short of full-scale war
* See early signs of an earnings pickup
* Be cautious and avoid making strong sectoral preferences solely based on short-term geopolitical developments

shorts/business/daily-voice-middle-east-strain-to-persist-despite-avoiding-full-scale-war-says-client-associates-rohit-sarin

* Prolonged heightened tensions likely even if US-Israel-Iran conflict stops short of full-scale war
* See early signs of an earnings pickup
* Be cautious and avoid making strong sectoral preferences solely based on short-term geopolitical developments

One aspect that appears relatively clearer is that the situation in Middle East may not resolve quickly, said Rohit Sarin, Co-Founder of Client Associates in an interview to Moneycontrol.

According to him, even if it does not escalate into a full-scale war, the probability of a prolonged period of heightened tension remains high. Such extended uncertainty can have lingering economic and market implications, he said.

Meanwhile, he sees early signs of an earnings pickup, particularly in sectors that benefited from GST rationalisation, such as auto and cement. He also believes that broader consumption trends will strengthen over the next two quarters, potentially supporting a more broad-based earnings recovery across sectors.

Do you see a strong possibility of escalating tensions or a war-like situation in the Middle East based on the current developments in the region, even though the situation remains unpredictable, especially considering President Trump’s stance and decision-making style?

It remains a developing situation and therefore difficult to say anything with conviction at this stage. Geopolitical conflicts tend to evolve in unexpected ways, particularly when multiple stakeholders are involved and strategic interests overlap.

However, one aspect that appears relatively clearer is that the situation may not resolve quickly. Even if it does not escalate into a full-scale war, the probability of a prolonged period of heightened tension remains high. Such extended uncertainty can have lingering economic and market implications.

Markets generally tend to price in developments well in advance, as reflected by the recovery of nearly half the losses on March 2. In a worst-case scenario, do you expect another 5 percent correction from current levels?

Since the situation has been developing over the past several weeks, markets have had sufficient time to assess and price in the associated risks. This is reflected in the relatively muted reaction seen so far.

Investors appear to be balancing geopolitical concerns with underlying economic fundamentals. However, if the conflict intensifies beyond current expectations or leads to disruptions in critical areas such as oil supply chains or global trade routes, markets could respond more sharply over the coming days. The trajectory will depend largely on how events unfold.

Do you believe President Trump is currently the biggest risk factor for equity markets, given his sudden and often unexpected policy decisions?

While his decision-making style is certainly disruptive for markets and often introduces short-term volatility, it is important to remember that the United States operates within a well-established institutional framework. These institutions act as stabilising forces during periods of uncertainty.

We have seen recent examples where checks and balances have played their role, including the stance taken by the US Supreme Court. Therefore, while policy unpredictability may create interim turbulence, the broader system provides some reassurance against extreme outcomes.

The impact of the US-Iran tensions was visible across sectors. In this market correction, which sectors or themes would you consider attractive for buying?

At this stage, we believe it is appropriate to remain cautious and avoid making strong sectoral preferences solely based on short-term geopolitical developments.

Market corrections driven by such events can impact sectors differently, and visibility remains limited until there is greater clarity on how the situation evolves. Rather than identifying specific themes as immediately attractive, we prefer to assess opportunities within the broader framework of valuations, earnings outlook, and risk tolerance. A measured and disciplined approach is advisable during periods of heightened uncertainty.

How should investors allocate across asset classes to maintain a balanced and healthy portfolio amid geopolitical tensions such as those in the Middle East?

Investors should remain committed to their long-term asset allocation, ensuring it aligns with their goals of compounding wealth or protecting capital. Geopolitical events can create short-term volatility, but abandoning a well-thought-out strategy often does more harm than good.

Within the equity allocation, periods of correction may offer opportunities to gradually top up positions, provided they fit within the overall risk framework of the portfolio.

Do IT services stocks look attractive for investment following the AI disruption–led correction? Or would it be prudent to wait for clearer evidence of AI’s impact on earnings before investing in the sector?

IT services stocks appear attractive from a valuation perspective following the correction. The collaboration of companies like Anthropic and OpenAI with Infosys and TCS suggests that established IT firms are likely to benefit from AI advancements rather than be displaced by them. This indicates a complementary relationship, which could support long-term growth prospects for the sector.

Do you see clear visibility of an earnings rebound in the coming quarters? If so, is the expected earnings growth likely to be broad-based or concentrated in a few sectors?

There have been early signs of an earnings pickup, particularly in sectors that benefited from GST rationalisation, such as auto and cement. We are also hopeful that broader consumption trends will strengthen over the next two quarters, potentially supporting a more broad-based earnings recovery across sectors.

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

Daily Voice: Middle East strain to persist despite avoiding full-scale war, says Client Associates' Rohit Sarin

Geopolitical conflicts tend to evolve in unexpected ways, particularly when multiple stakeholders are involved and strategic interests overlap, said Rohit Sarin of Client Associates.

One aspect that appears relatively clearer is that the situation in Middle East may not resolve quickly, said Rohit Sarin, Co-Founder of Client Associates in an interview to Moneycontrol.

According to him, even if it does not escalate into a full-scale war, the probability of a prolonged period of heightened tension remains high. Such extended uncertainty can have lingering economic and market implications, he said.

Meanwhile, he sees early signs of an earnings pickup, particularly in sectors that benefited from GST rationalisation, such as auto and cement. He also believes that broader consumption trends will strengthen over the next two quarters, potentially supporting a more broad-based earnings recovery across sectors.

Do you see a strong possibility of escalating tensions or a war-like situation in the Middle East based on the current developments in the region, even though the situation remains unpredictable, especially considering President Trump’s stance and decision-making style?

It remains a developing situation and therefore difficult to say anything with conviction at this stage. Geopolitical conflicts tend to evolve in unexpected ways, particularly when multiple stakeholders are involved and strategic interests overlap.

However, one aspect that appears relatively clearer is that the situation may not resolve quickly. Even if it does not escalate into a full-scale war, the probability of a prolonged period of heightened tension remains high. Such extended uncertainty can have lingering economic and market implications.

Markets generally tend to price in developments well in advance, as reflected by the recovery of nearly half the losses on March 2. In a worst-case scenario, do you expect another 5 percent correction from current levels?

Since the situation has been developing over the past several weeks, markets have had sufficient time to assess and price in the associated risks. This is reflected in the relatively muted reaction seen so far.

Investors appear to be balancing geopolitical concerns with underlying economic fundamentals. However, if the conflict intensifies beyond current expectations or leads to disruptions in critical areas such as oil supply chains or global trade routes, markets could respond more sharply over the coming days. The trajectory will depend largely on how events unfold.

Do you believe President Trump is currently the biggest risk factor for equity markets, given his sudden and often unexpected policy decisions?

While his decision-making style is certainly disruptive for markets and often introduces short-term volatility, it is important to remember that the United States operates within a well-established institutional framework. These institutions act as stabilising forces during periods of uncertainty.

We have seen recent examples where checks and balances have played their role, including the stance taken by the US Supreme Court. Therefore, while policy unpredictability may create interim turbulence, the broader system provides some reassurance against extreme outcomes.

The impact of the US-Iran tensions was visible across sectors. In this market correction, which sectors or themes would you consider attractive for buying?

At this stage, we believe it is appropriate to remain cautious and avoid making strong sectoral preferences solely based on short-term geopolitical developments.

Market corrections driven by such events can impact sectors differently, and visibility remains limited until there is greater clarity on how the situation evolves. Rather than identifying specific themes as immediately attractive, we prefer to assess opportunities within the broader framework of valuations, earnings outlook, and risk tolerance. A measured and disciplined approach is advisable during periods of heightened uncertainty.

How should investors allocate across asset classes to maintain a balanced and healthy portfolio amid geopolitical tensions such as those in the Middle East?

Investors should remain committed to their long-term asset allocation, ensuring it aligns with their goals of compounding wealth or protecting capital. Geopolitical events can create short-term volatility, but abandoning a well-thought-out strategy often does more harm than good.

Within the equity allocation, periods of correction may offer opportunities to gradually top up positions, provided they fit within the overall risk framework of the portfolio.

Do IT services stocks look attractive for investment following the AI disruption–led correction? Or would it be prudent to wait for clearer evidence of AI’s impact on earnings before investing in the sector?

IT services stocks appear attractive from a valuation perspective following the correction. The collaboration of companies like Anthropic and OpenAI with Infosys and TCS suggests that established IT firms are likely to benefit from AI advancements rather than be displaced by them. This indicates a complementary relationship, which could support long-term growth prospects for the sector.

Do you see clear visibility of an earnings rebound in the coming quarters? If so, is the expected earnings growth likely to be broad-based or concentrated in a few sectors?

There have been early signs of an earnings pickup, particularly in sectors that benefited from GST rationalisation, such as auto and cement. We are also hopeful that broader consumption trends will strengthen over the next two quarters, potentially supporting a more broad-based earnings recovery across sectors.

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

Sensex Today | Stock Market LIVE Updates: All the sectoral indices are trading in the red, with metal index slips 4%. Nifty Midcap and smallcap indices down 2.5% each. Tejas Networks, Reliance Industries, Bharti Airtel, HDFC Bank, L&amp;T are among most active shares on the NSE.

Sensex Today | Stock Market Live: Sensex sinks 1,400 pts, Nifty below 24,400 on US-Iran crises; realty, metal, PSU banks worst hit, India VIX up 24%

Live Blog

Sensex Today | Stock Market LIVE Updates: All the sectoral indices are trading in the red, with metal index slips 4%. Nifty Midcap and smallcap indices down 2.5% each. Tejas Networks, Reliance Industries, Bharti Airtel, HDFC Bank, L&amp;amp;T are among most active shares on the NSE.

4 out of 5 years NIFTY TOTAL MKT has given positive returns in March.

Type	R1	R2	R3	PP	S1	S2	S3
Classic	12,913.53	13,030.47	13,174.03	12,769.97	12,653.03	12,509.47	12,392.53
Fibonacci	12,869.48	12,930.96	13,030.47	12,769.97	12,670.46	12,608.98	12,509.47
Camarilla	12,820.48	12,844.36	12,868.24	12,769.97	12,772.72	12,748.84	12,724.96

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