20.07.202604:37:47UTC+00Sensex Falls on Higher Oil Prices

India’s BSE Sensex opened about 0.8% lower at 77,504 on Monday, erasing the previous session’s gains as investors turned cautious amid rising crude oil prices and intensifying geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Sentiment was further pressured by worries that higher energy costs could fuel inflation and compress corporate profit margins.

The pullback came despite stronger-than-expected quarterly results from index heavyweights Reliance Industries and ICICI Bank. Investors also closely monitored movements in the rupee and government bond markets, with currency stability and foreign fund flows remaining critical drivers for Indian equities. Market participants watched for potential Reserve Bank of India measures to curb volatility, as well as progress on India’s inclusion in global bond indices, both seen as key influences on overseas investment flows.

Among the major losers were Axis Bank (-5.3%), HDFC Bank (-4.5%), Kotak Mahindra Bank (-2.7%), and Cupid (-2.5%). On the gainers’ side, Tatva surged 20%, Kross advanced 14.7%, Bhansali Engineering rose 11%, and Himadri gained 5.4%.