Indian share markets witnessed a sharp decline on Thursday, October 30, 2025, with benchmark indices posting significant losses amid mounting global uncertainties. The BSE Sensex tumbled 592.67 points, or 0.70 per cent, to close at 84,404.46, whilst the NSE Nifty50 slipped 176.05 points, or 0.68 per cent, to settle at 25,877.75. The day’s trading session reflected growing investor caution following the US Federal Reserve’s policy announcement and concerns about US-China trade negotiations.
Sensex and Nifty Closing Figures: Key Numbers
The benchmark Sensex opened on a negative note and steadily declined throughout the trading session. After touching an intraday low, the index failed to recover, reflecting persistent selling pressure across key sectors. The broader market showed mixed trends, with the Nifty MidCap 100 managing a marginal gain of 0.10 per cent, whilst the Nifty SmallCap 100 index fell by 0.10 per cent.
Market sentiment turned cautious after the US Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points but hinted this might be the final reduction of 2025. Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks dampened hopes of further monetary easing, strengthening the US dollar and triggering a risk-off sentiment across emerging markets, including India.
Top 5 Performers
Despite the overall market weakness, several stocks managed to post gains:
1. Larsen & Toubro (L&T): The infrastructure giant emerged as one of the top gainers, benefiting from positive sentiment in the capital goods sector.
2. Eicher Motors: The automobile manufacturer showed resilience amid sectoral weakness.
3. Adani Ports: The logistics major registered gains, supported by operational performance.
4. Maruti Suzuki: The passenger vehicle leader managed to buck the trend despite broader auto sector weakness.
5. Shriram Finance: The financial services company witnessed buying interest from investors.
These stocks demonstrated relative strength, attracting investors seeking defensive positions amid market volatility.
Top 5 Losers: Technology and Telecommunications Under Pressure
The day’s biggest losers came predominantly from the technology, telecommunications, and pharmaceutical sectors:
1. Bharti Airtel: The telecommunications major emerged as a top laggard among Sensex constituents.
2. Power Grid Corporation: The power transmission utility faced selling pressure.
3. Tech Mahindra: The IT services company was amongst the top losers.
4. Infosys: The software services giant witnessed significant decline.
5. Bajaj Finance: The non-banking financial company faced profit booking.
These stocks bore the brunt of negative market sentiment, with technology shares particularly vulnerable to concerns about discretionary spending in global markets.
Sector-Wise Performance: Energy Sole Gainer
Amongst sectoral indices, barring Nifty Energy, all other sectors settled in the red territory. The sectoral breakdown revealed broad-based weakness across Indian equities:
Financial Services: Nifty Financial Services declined by 0.70 per cent, reflecting concerns about interest rate trajectory and lending growth.
Information Technology: The IT sector faced headwinds as investors worried about potential slowdown in technology spending, particularly from the banking and financial services sector.
Automobile: Auto stocks traded lower amid concerns about demand and inventory levels.
Metals: The metal index declined, pressured by global growth concerns and commodity price movements.
Pharmaceuticals: The pharma sector traded in negative territory, with concerns about pricing pressures and regulatory issues.
Banking: The banking sector witnessed selling pressure, impacted by uncertainty about future rate cuts.
Oil & Gas: Despite broader weakness, the energy sector showed relative resilience.
The sectoral performance underscored investors’ flight to defensive positions, with only the energy sector managing to stay afloat.
Foreign Institutional Investors Turn Sellers
Market dynamics were significantly influenced by foreign portfolio flows. Whilst the previous session had witnessed strong FII buying, Thursday’s session saw a reversal with foreign institutional investors turning net sellers. This shift in sentiment, combined with mixed quarterly earnings reports, contributed to the market’s downward trajectory.
The F&O expiry added to volatility, with traders adjusting positions ahead of the monthly settlement. Domestic institutional investors attempted to provide support, but their efforts proved insufficient to counter the selling pressure from foreign investors.
Global Cues Impact Indian Markets
International developments played a crucial role in shaping market sentiment. The US Federal Reserve’s decision to cut rates by 25 basis points, bringing the benchmark range to 3.75-4.00 per cent, was widely anticipated. However, Fed Chair Powell’s cautious commentary about future rate cuts created uncertainty.
Additionally, investors remained watchful of the scheduled meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. The ongoing trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies continued to weigh on global risk appetite, indirectly impacting Indian equities.
Wall Street’s mixed performance overnight further influenced Indian markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.20 per cent, the S&P 500 remained flat, whilst the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.55 per cent to a new high. Asian markets traded mixed, with the Hang Seng Index gaining 0.80 per cent whilst Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined marginally.
Quarterly Earnings Season in Focus
The ongoing second-quarter earnings season for financial year 2026 remained a key focal point for investors. Several major corporations, including ITC, NTPC, Adani Power, DLF, and Hyundai Motor India, released their results during the session. The mixed nature of earnings reports contributed to selective stock movements.
Corporate results have shown varied performance across sectors, with some companies exceeding expectations whilst others disappointed. Analysts noted that earnings growth visibility remains moderate, with companies facing headwinds from input cost pressures and demand uncertainties.
Technical Analysis and Market Outlook
From a technical perspective, the Nifty formed a bearish candle on the daily chart, breaking its three-session winning streak. The index now faces immediate support at 25,800 levels, with further support visible at 25,700. On the upside, resistance is placed at 25,950, followed by 26,100.
The Sensex, having held above 84,700 zones during most of October, now needs to maintain this level to prevent further downside. Technical analysts suggest that the market structure remains fragile, with any breach of key support levels potentially triggering further selling.
Bank Nifty, which had been showing strength near life-high territory, also witnessed profit-booking. The index needs to hold above 58,000 levels to maintain its upward momentum.
Outlook: Cautious Optimism Amid Uncertainties
Looking ahead, market participants expect continued volatility in the near term. Several factors will influence market direction in the coming sessions:
Interest Rate Trajectory: The Federal Reserve’s stance on future rate cuts will remain crucial for emerging market flows, including India.
Corporate Earnings: Ongoing quarterly results will provide insights into corporate health and future guidance, helping investors assess valuations.
Global Trade Dynamics: Progress or setbacks in US-China trade discussions could significantly impact risk sentiment.
Domestic Economic Data: Upcoming economic indicators, including GDP growth, inflation, and manufacturing data, will shape policy expectations.
Oil Prices: Crude oil price movements will continue to influence inflation expectations and import bill concerns.
Analysts suggest maintaining a selective approach, focusing on quality stocks with strong fundamentals and reasonable valuations. Sectors such as energy, select financial services, and domestic consumption-driven themes may offer relative stability. However, investors should remain cautious about global headwinds and their potential impact on India’s export-oriented sectors.
The market’s resilience over the past month, with both indices posting gains of approximately 5 per cent in October, provides some comfort. However, the current global uncertainty warrants a balanced approach, combining defensive positions with selective growth opportunities.
October 30, 2025, marked a challenging session for Indian equities, with benchmark indices declining sharply amid global uncertainties. The Sensex closed at 84,404.46, down 592.67 points, whilst the Nifty50 settled at 25,877.75, lower by 176.05 points. The market’s performance reflected concerns about the Federal Reserve’s cautious stance on future rate cuts and ongoing US-China trade tensions.
Whilst broader indices faced pressure, selective stocks and the energy sector managed to buck the trend. The coming days will be crucial as investors digest ongoing earnings reports, monitor global developments, and assess the sustainability of recent market gains. Prudent portfolio management, focusing on quality and diversification, remains essential in navigating these uncertain times.
External Resources:
– [BSE India Official Website](https://www.bseindia.com)
– [NSE India Official Website](https://www.nseindia.com)
– [SEBI Official Website](https://www.sebi.gov.in)