Stock Market Live Updates | Sensex Falls 200 Points, Nifty Slips as Persistent Tanks 8% on Deal

Anubhav Plast led the list of the day's most volatile stocks, while Uhm Vacation, IITL Projects, Euphoria Infotech, ABATE AS Industries and Newtrac Foods witnessed sharp price swings during trade.

HDFC Bank, Persistent Systems, ICICI Bank, Ramco Systems, BSE and Himadri Specialty Chemical featured among the day's most actively traded stocks, reflecting heightened investor participation and stock-specific action.

The Sensex hovered above the 77,100 mark in volatile trade, reflecting cautious investor sentiment. Traders tracked corporate developments, global cues, crude oil prices and foreign fund flows for directional momentum.

Nifty 50 traded in a narrow range above the 24,000 mark, reflecting cautious investor sentiment. The index remained resilient despite intraday volatility as traders awaited fresh domestic and global market triggers.

HDFC Bank shares climbed above Rs. 800, signalling a steady recovery after months of sustained declines. Investors are watching whether the stock can maintain momentum and break above key resistance levels in upcoming sessions.

Persistent Systems shares plunged close to 8% after announcing its proposed $1.14 billion acquisition of Germany-based Nagarro. Investors remained cautious about the acquisition's financial impact despite analysts highlighting its long-term strategic benefits.

VK Vijayakumar of Geojit Investments said Brent crude remaining below $73 is positive for India despite ongoing US-Iran tensions. However, he cautioned that weak monsoon conditions and first-quarter earnings expectations continue to pose challenges for markets.

Selling pressure accelerated during morning trade, dragging the Sensex down more than 200 points. Weakness in IT shares and profit booking across sectors weighed on market sentiment despite supportive macroeconomic factors.

Analysts highlighted HDFC Short Term Debt Fund, ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund and Axis Short Term Fund among the preferred choices for investors with one-to-three-year investment horizons seeking stable returns and moderate interest-rate risk.

The benchmarks erased their opening gains as selling pressure intensified across IT and heavyweight stocks. The Sensex slipped around 50 points while the Nifty tested the 24,050 level amid cautious investor sentiment.

Indian benchmark indices began Monday's session on a positive note after the long weekend. The Sensex gained around 100 points while the Nifty crossed the 24,100 mark, supported by buying in select heavyweight stocks before momentum faded.

Gold prices slipped after renewed US-Iran tensions pushed crude oil prices higher and strengthened expectations of prolonged higher US interest rates. Spot gold declined 0.7%, while silver also traded lower during early commodity market activity.

Technology companies globally continue raising capital through equity sales, prompting comparisons with the dot-com era. Investors are increasingly concerned that rising equity issuance could pressure valuations and increase financial risks across the sector.

The Indian rupee opened at 94.35 per US dollar, almost unchanged from the previous close of 94.3950, as traders awaited fresh global cues and monitored geopolitical developments affecting currency markets.

Economists believe the Reserve Bank of India's recent foreign currency inflow measures may provide short-term relief to the country's balance of payments. However, structural external sector risks continue to remain a concern.

Analysts believe Persistent Systems' proposed acquisition of Germany-based Nagarro could strengthen its European presence and diversify revenue streams. However, the deal's size and integration costs are expected to pressure the stock in the near term.

Power Finance Corporation and REC approved their merger proposal. REC shareholders will receive 88 PFC shares for every 100 REC shares held, creating what is expected to become India's largest power financing institution after regulatory clearances.

India, China and Hong Kong are among the few major markets where the largest listed companies have lost market-cap share over the past year, reflecting slower participation in the global artificial intelligence-driven equity rally.

Anchor investors, including Ares Management, Cerberus Capital Management, Deutsche Bank, Davidson Kempner and Farallon Capital, extended loan-to-value relaxations until September 30, supporting the Shapoorji Pallonji Group's refinancing efforts.

Foreign institutional investors reduced the pace of equity outflows during June, helped by easing crude oil prices and improving market sentiment. February remains the only month in 2026 in which overseas investors were net buyers of Indian equities.

Technical analysts believe the Nifty has room to advance towards the 24,300–25,000 range if it decisively breaks above key resistance levels. However, they continue advising investors to remain selective amid ongoing market volatility.

The US dollar remained on course for its strongest monthly performance in nearly a year. Traders awaited crucial US employment data while monitoring tensions in the Gulf, both of which could influence future Federal Reserve policy decisions.

Gold prices continued their decline as stronger oil prices and expectations of prolonged higher US interest rates reduced demand for the safe-haven asset. Investors remained focused on geopolitical tensions and the Federal Reserve's policy outlook.

Asian equities opened weaker despite reports suggesting the US and Iran had stepped back from immediate escalation. Oil prices pared gains while US futures edged higher, reflecting cautious optimism among investors ahead of key economic data releases.

Waaree Energies, Kotak Mahindra Bank, HDFC Bank, Strides Pharma and Persistent Systems remained among the key stocks in focus following corporate announcements, sector-specific developments and analyst commentary likely to influence trading activity during the session.

GIFT Nifty traded marginally higher at 24,098.50, indicating a flat-to-positive start for Indian equities. Investors remained cautious ahead of key domestic triggers and global developments despite supportive cues from overnight US markets.

Market participants are closely tracking first-quarter earnings, monsoon progress, crude oil prices, foreign institutional investor (FII) flows, geopolitical developments involving the US and Iran, RBI measures and key global economic data, all of which are expected to influence investor sentiment throughout the week.