The BSE Sensex tumbled 813 points or 1.0% to 80,614 on Friday morning, marking its second straight session of losses and hitting a five-week low as rising Middle East tensions spooked investors following Israeli military strikes on Iran.
The Nifty 50 also slipped around 1%, extending its decline. Sentiment was further hit by a slump in U.S. futures after President Trump reignited fears of unilateral tariffs. He also criticized Fed Chair Powell, calling him a “numbskull,” while ramping up pressure for rate cuts. Losses were broad-based, with transport, logistics, and energy minerals leading the drop.
Airline stocks sank after an Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad Thursday, killing near 242 people on board. Interglobe Aviation fell nearly 4%, while SpiceJet dropped 2%. For the week, the Sensex is on track for a 1.7% loss, after gains in the prior period. Notable decliners included Bharat Petroleum (-3.0%), Adani Ports (-2.1%), Reliance Industries (-1.6%), and Bajaj Auto (-1.4%).
