Last Updated on January 21, 2026 8:59 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
BSE Sensex closed at 81,909.63, down 270.84 points (0.33%), while the Nifty 50 ended at 25,157.50, lower by 75 points (0.30%).
AMN / BIZ DESK
Domestic Indian equity markets slipped for the third straight session today as the rupee tumbled to a record low of 91.70 against the US dollar, intensifying investor caution amid sustained foreign fund outflows and rising global uncertainties.
The BSE Sensex closed at 81,909.63, down 270.84 points (0.33%), while the Nifty 50 ended at 25,157.50, lower by 75 points (0.30%). Despite the losses, benchmarks staged a modest recovery from intraday lows, with the Nifty rebounding over 237 points from its session bottom of 24,920.
Currency weakness emerged as a major overhang. Analysts attributed the sharp move in USD/INR to continued FPI selling, fragile global risk sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions, U.S.–India trade frictions, and muted exporter dollar inflows. With importer hedging demand remaining strong, market participants remain wary of further downside risks for the rupee.
Foreign institutional investors continued to pare exposure, selling equities worth nearly ₹2,938 crore, keeping pressure on domestic markets. Market breadth was decisively negative, with decliners far outnumbering advancers and a sharp spike in stocks hitting 52-week lows, reflecting deep-seated risk aversion.
Broader markets underperformed frontline indices. The Nifty Midcap 100 fell 1.14%, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 declined 0.90%, highlighting intensified selling in higher-beta segments.
Sector-wise performance was largely weak.
Banking and Financials led the decline, with Nifty Bank down 1.02% and Financial Services slipping 0.87%, weighed down by heavy selling in large private lenders.
Consumer Durables dropped 1.6%, extending a prolonged losing streak.
Realty and PSU stocks also remained under pressure.
On the positive side, Metals (+0.6%) and Oil & Gas (+0.3%) bucked the broader trend, supported by select stock-specific buying.
Among individual stocks, Eicher Motors and IndiGo outperformed, while ICICI Bank and Trent were among notable laggards.
Looking ahead, markets are expected to trade cautiously, tracking global cues, the US President’s address at Davos, and a busy slate of upcoming quarterly earnings.