MOHAMMAD ZIYAUDDIN
Share_1639545528.jpg)
Mumbai: The Sensex fell by 202.21 points, opening at 75,533.75 in early trade on Friday, February 21, 2025. The NSE Nifty also declined 63.5 points to 22,849.65 as the Indian stock market faced pressure from fresh foreign institutional investor (FII) selling, weak US market trends, and Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
Market Movers: Top Losers and Gainers
The 30-share BSE Sensex saw notable declines in major stocks, including:
- Sun Pharma
- UltraTech Cement
- Tata Motors
- ICICI Bank
- Mahindra & Mahindra
- Kotak Mahindra Bank
- Infosys
- Maruti
Meanwhile, some stocks managed to gain despite the downturn, including:
- NTPC
- Larsen & Toubro (L&T)
- Zomato
- Tata Steel
FII Selling Continues as Global Markets Remain Mixed
According to exchange data, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold equities worth ₹3,311.55 crore on February 20.
- Asian markets showed mixed trends:
- Seoul and Tokyo markets traded lower
- Shanghai and Hong Kong markets remained in positive territory
- US stock markets also closed lower on Thursday, adding to global concerns.
- Brent crude oil slipped 0.04% to $76.45 per barrel, reflecting market caution.
Market Experts: Tariff Threats, FII Selling Weighing on Indian Stocks
Analysts point to multiple factors dragging the Indian stock market, including renewed fears of US tariffs under Donald Trump, persistent FII selling, and increasing investor interest in Chinese stocks.
“Trump’s tariff threats are causing concerns in sectors like autos and pharmaceuticals, while investors are shifting focus to domestic consumption stocks, which remain unaffected. FII selling is also likely to continue as interest in cheap Chinese stocks grows. This will put pressure on large-cap stocks in India,” said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services.
“Market worries include Wall Street’s overnight dip, Trump’s tariff impact on trade, continued US inflation concerns, and a cautious Fed stance on rate cuts,” added Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd.
Market Recap: February 20 Close
On Thursday, February 20, the Sensex ended 203.22 points higher at 75,735.96, while the Nifty slipped 19.75 points, closing at 22,913.15.
As global uncertainties persist, investors will closely watch upcoming developments, including FII activity, US economic policy, and geopolitical events that may influence Indian markets in the coming days.
