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Indian stock markets opened sharply lower on Monday as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalated, pushing crude oil prices to multi-month highs. The sell-off was further driven by weak global cues, pressure in IT stocks after Accenture's outlook, and concerns over inflation delaying U.S. rate cuts.
Markets began the week on a cautious and volatile note as investors responded to a combination of global concerns. Rising oil prices, renewed geopolitical tensions, and weakness in the tech sector all contributed to the nervous sentiment. The Sensex slipped more than 800 points while the Nifty fell over 200 points in early trade, dragging down overall market wealth. The reasons behind today’s fall are interconnected, and each adds a layer of pressure to the current market environment. As of 11:14 AM on June 23, 2025, the BSE Sensex is trading at 81,774.77, down 633.40 points or 0.77%. On the NSE, Nifty 50 is trading at 24,932.20, lower by 0.72%.. Nifty Next 50 is marginally down by 0.21% at 66,595.35. Nifty Bank has declined 0.56% to 55,963.65, while Nifty Financial Services is down 0.64%, trading at 26,478.65.
1. Middle East tensions pushing crude oil prices higher
The U.S. carried out airstrikes on nuclear facilities in Iran over the weekend, triggering fears of further conflict in the region. Iran responded with strong rhetoric, including threats to block the Strait of Hormuz, a key channel through which around 20% of the world’s crude oil flows. Brent crude briefly crossed 81 dollars a barrel, raising alarms for countries like India that depend heavily on imported oil. Higher crude prices increase fuel costs, stoke inflation, and put pressure on companies across various sectors, including transport, FMCG, and manufacturing.
2. IT stocks under pressure after Accenture’s cautious tone
Accenture, one of the global leaders in tech services, reported a decline in outsourcing orders for the third consecutive quarter. Even though it beat revenue expectations, its share price took a hit, reflecting deeper investor worries about margins and future demand. This had a spillover effect on Indian IT giants like Infosys, TCS, and HCL Tech, which are already navigating a slowdown in global technology spending. The weak outlook is a signal that headwinds for the tech industry are far from over.
3. U.S. rate cuts officially pushed to 2025 as inflation risks rise
The U.S. Federal Reserve has now made it clear that interest rate cuts are off the table for the rest of 2024. At its latest policy meeting, the Fed kept rates steady at 4.25 to 4.5% and signalled just a modest 50 basis points of cuts in 2025. The projection for 2026 has also been trimmed, with only a 25 basis point cut now expected. Fed Chair Jerome Powell pointed to renewed inflationary pressures, particularly in goods, which are likely to rise over the summer due to President Trump’s new tariffs. While Powell urged caution in reading too much into long-term projections, the near-term message is clear — inflation risks remain, and rate cuts will be both delayed and limited. This shift in the Fed's tone has dampened hopes of fresh liquidity from foreign investors. With lower chances of near-term U.S. easing, emerging markets like India could see reduced capital inflows, adding further pressure to domestic equities.
4. Global markets sending negative signals
The pressure is not limited to India. Asian markets were broadly lower, with Japan’s Nikkei down and most regional indices showing weakness. European futures also indicated a weak open. Investors worldwide are turning risk-averse amid rising geopolitical tensions and volatile energy prices. In such an environment, global equity markets tend to move in tandem, and Indian stocks are no exception.
A mix of global factors is driving the decline in Indian stock markets today. Geopolitical risks, rising oil prices, cautious signals from the tech industry, and uncertainty around the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy path are all contributing to a risk-off mood. While the Indian economy remains on a relatively solid footing, external events are currently dominating the market narrative. Until there is more clarity on oil prices and global stability, investors may continue to approach the markets with caution.
Source - The Economic Tiimes, Financial Express
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