Mumbai: Indian equity markets began Thursday’s session on a subdued note, slipping into negative territory for the third straight day as cautious sentiment continued to weigh on investors. Both frontline indices opened lower amid weak global cues and broad-based selling pressure.
The NSE Nifty 50 started the day at 26,097, down 43 points, or 0.17 per cent, while the BSE Sensex declined 175 points to open at 84,786, marking a fall of 0.21 per cent. Banking and mid-sized stocks mirrored the weakness in benchmark indices, with the Bank Nifty slipping around 0.17 per cent and the midcap index easing by about 0.06 per cent in early trade.
On Wednesday, markets had already ended in the red, extending a cautious trend. The Nifty 50 closed lower by 38 points at 26,140, while the Sensex settled 102 points down at 84,961, as investors booked profits at higher levels.
Across Asia, market movements were mixed in early trade. Japan’s Nikkei 225 opened lower, shedding nearly half a per cent, while the broader Topix index also traded in the negative. In contrast, South Korean equities showed modest gains, with both the Kospi and the tech-heavy Kosdaq edging up slightly. Hong Kong markets appeared set for a weaker start, with Hang Seng futures indicating a lower opening compared to the previous close.
Meanwhile, attention is also turning to the primary market. Bharat Coking Coal Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India, is set to launch its initial public offering on Friday, January 9. The public issue will remain open for subscription until January 13, with the company aiming to raise ₹1,071.11 crore through the offering.
Market participants are expected to closely monitor global cues, upcoming corporate earnings and primary market activity for further direction in the days ahead.
