Domestic equities traded lower amid weak global cues and persistent foreign selling. The Sensex fell 413.40 points, or 0.50%, to 81,931.28, while the Nifty 50 dropped 122.35 points, or 0.48%, to 25,220.40. Traders linked the pressure to foreign institutional investors (FII) continuing to pare exposure.
Crude added to the currency headwind as import costs rise with a weaker rupee. Brent gained 1.32% to $69.30 a barrel, and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 1.38% to $64.08.
Trade numbers also underscored the external strain on the . Imports rose 8.7% to $63.55 billion in December 2025, with the trade deficit at $25.04 billion. Crude imports climbed about 6% to $14.4 billion, silver imports surged nearly 80% to $758 million, and gold imports fell 12% to $4.13 billion.
A weaker rupee makes imported items costlier, including crude oil, coal, chemicals, plastics, electronics, machinery, fertilisers, vegetable oils, and precious metals. Foreign travel and overseas education also become more expensive in dollar terms. However, remittances rise in rupee value, and exporters may gain rupee revenues, though import-heavy sectors can face margin pressure.
Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Economic Survey 2025–26 on Thursday, ahead of the February 1 Budget. Markets will focus on RBI signals, oil moves, and capital flows.
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