Indian equity markets on Monday opened lower due to ongoing tensions in West Asia, a surge in crude prices and fears of supply disruption weighing on investor sentiment.
The 30-share BSE Sensex and 50-share Nifty both were trading lower compared to the previous trading session.
The benchmark equity index BSE Sensex fell sharply in early trade on Monday, dropping 635 points, or 0.82 per cent, to 76,939 as of 9:30 am.
While the broader Nifty was trading 181 points down, or 0.77 per cent, to 24,015.40 as of 9:30 am IST.
The sell-off came amid weak global cues following US and Iranian military strikes targeting key bases and oil infrastructure in the Gulf region.
Meanwhile, the same trend continued across major stocks in Asia, including in Japan and South Korea.
The Kospi, which turned into one of the best-performing markets in 2026, plunged 6 per cent (443 points) to 7,031 on Monday as escalating tensions in the Gulf and Iran’s claim that it had closed the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz triggered a sharp surge in oil prices, fuelling inflation concerns and sparking a broad sell-off across global equities.
Additionally, the sell-off was triggered amid rising crude oil prices, which jumped 4 per cent on Monday, luring investors towards the energy and defence stocks.
As of 9:30 am, Brent crude rose 4.28 per cent to $80 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 4.37 per cent to $74.53 a barrel, as investors priced in the risk of escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Also read: Rupee drops 37 paise to 95.70 against US dollar in early trade
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