Sensex, Nifty Slide as Oil Price Surge and US Trade Probe Shake Market Sentiment

New Delhi | 12 March 2026 Indian stock markets opened with sharp losses on Thursday as rising crude oil prices and renewed global trade tensions unsettled investors. The benchmark BSE Sensex dropped by 992.53 points in early trading to reach 75,871.18, while the Nifty 50 fell by 310.55 points to 23,556.30. By early morning, the Nifty was down 1.13 percent at 23,596.2 and the Sensex had slipped 1.23 percent to 75,921.04, reflecting widespread selling across sectors. Market pressure was visible across the board as all 16 major sectoral indices opened in the negative zone. Broader markets also showed weakness, with small-cap stocks declining by about 1.5 percent and mid-cap shares falling nearly 1.3 percent. Analysts said the sharp fall indicates cautious investor sentiment amid global uncertainties and concerns over rising energy prices. The decline in markets came as global crude oil prices surged beyond $100 per barrel due to increasing tensions in West Asia. According to security officials in Iraq, Iranian explosive boats reportedly targeted two fuel-oil tankers, adding to supply disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran. Officials said oil ports in the region had “completely stopped operations,” which has increased fears of a possible shortage in global oil supply. Investor confidence was further affected after the United States launched new investigations into alleged unfair trade practices involving 16 countries, including India. The move is being viewed as part of the trade approach associated with former US President Donald Trump. Experts say higher oil prices and potential trade tensions could increase inflation pressure on oil-importing countries like India and raise the overall import bill, creating further challenges for the economy. Sensex, Nifty Slide as Oil Price Surge and US Trade Probe Shake Market Sentiment Indian stock markets opened with sharp losses on Thursday as rising crude oil prices and renewed global trade tensions unsettled investors. The benchmark BSE Sensex dropped by 992.53 points in early trading to reach 75,871.18, while the Nifty 50 fell by 310.55 points to 23,556.30. By early morning, the Nifty was down 1.13 percent at 23,596.2 and the Sensex had slipped 1.23 percent to 75,921.04, reflecting widespread selling across sectors. Market pressure was visible across the board as all 16 major sectoral indices opened in the negative zone. Broader markets also showed weakness, with small-cap stocks declining by about 1.5 percent and mid-cap shares falling nearly 1.3 percent. Analysts said the sharp fall indicates cautious investor sentiment amid global uncertainties and concerns over rising energy prices. The decline in markets came as global crude oil prices surged beyond $100 per barrel due to increasing tensions in West Asia. According to security officials in Iraq, Iranian explosive boats reportedly targeted two fuel-oil tankers, adding to supply disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran. Officials said oil ports in the region had “completely stopped operations,” which has increased fears of a possible shortage in global oil supply. Investor confidence was further affected after the United States launched new investigations into alleged unfair trade practices involving 16 countries, including India. The move is being viewed as part of the trade approach associated with former US President Donald Trump. Experts say higher oil prices and potential trade tensions could increase inflation pressure on oil-importing countries like India and raise the overall import bill, creating further challenges for the economy.