Markets extend losses for 2nd day on soaring crude prices, West Asia turmoil; Sensex tanks 800 points

Benchmark equity indices ended with deep cuts on Thursday (March 12, 2026), with the Sensex tumbling over 800 points amid a sharp rise in crude oil prices due to the heightening crisis in West Asia.

Besides, sluggish global market trends, weakness in the rupee and persistent foreign capital outflows also rattled investor sentiment, analysts said.

In a volatile session, the 30-share BSE Sensex tanked 829.29 points, or 1.08%, to settle at 76,034.42. During the day, it plunged 992.53 points or 1.29% to 75,871.18.

A total of 2,516 stocks declined, while 1,713 advanced and 175 remained unchanged on the BSE.

Similarly, the 50-share NSE Nifty fell 227.70 points, or 0.95%, to close at 23,639.15.

“Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to dampen global risk appetite, as fresh attacks on oil-shipping vessels have pushed crude prices closer to $100 per barrel, intensifying concerns over inflation and gas supply constraints.

“The market is witnessing broad-based consolidation, although selective buying has emerged in renewables and utility stocks. In the near term, sustained risk-off sentiment and ongoing FII outflows are likely to keep both equities and the rupee under pressure,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.

However, the premium valuation of India has narrowed during the year, making it highly investable for a long-term investor, thus reducing the downside risk, he added.

In contrast, NTPC, Power Grid, Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech and Reliance Industries were the winners.

The BSE smallcap select index declined 0.65 per cent, and the midcap select index dipped 0.55%.

Among BSE sectoral indices, auto tanked 2.92%, FMCG (1.62%), consumer discretionary (1.59%), realty (1.53%), private banks index (1.45%) and top 10 banks (1.29%).

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, jumped 4.78% to $96.47 per barrel.

“The lack of de-escalation signs in Middle East geopolitical tensions continued to unsettle global markets and push crude oil prices higher.

“Oil prices have surged again after the recent dip and are hovering around the $97 mark, raising concerns over inflationary pressures, currency weakness and the potential impact on India’s trade balance. Additionally, elevated volatility further dampened risk appetite among market participants,” Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd, said.

Meanwhile, retail inflation in the country moved up to 3.21% in February compared to 2.74% in the preceding month, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) released on Thursday (March 12, 2026). In Asian markets, South Korea’s Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225, Shanghai’s SSE Composite index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index ended lower.

European markets were quoting in negative territory.

The U.S. market ended mostly lower on Wednesday (March 11, 2026).

The rupee recovered from record-low levels and settled with a loss of 16 paise at 92.17 (provisional) against the U..S. dollar on Thursday. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹6,267.31 crore on Wednesday (March 11, 2026), according to exchange data. Domestic Institutional Investors (DII) bought stocks worth ₹4,965.53 crore.

On Wednesday (March 11, 2026), the Sensex tumbled 1,342.27 points or 1.72% to settle at 76,863.71. The Nifty tanked 394.75 points or 1.63% to end at 23,866.85.

Published – March 12, 2026 05:36 pm IST