Sensex crashes over 1,795 points today as metal, realty, PSU banks drag

Equity markets tumbled sharply on Wednesday, as escalating geopolitical tensions, rising crude prices, weak global cues and a strengthening US dollar triggered broad-based selling. The BSE Sensex plunged nearly 1,795.65 points from the previous close, while the NSE Nifty 50 fell 560 points.

Analysts believe India’s heavy reliance on oil imports raises concerns over inflation, a widening trade deficit, a depreciating currency, and slower economic growth, which could impact corporate earnings if the conflict drags on.

At 12.50 pm, Sensex traded 1422.02 pts or 1.77 per cent lower at 78,816.83, hitting an intraday low of 78,443.20 from the previous close of 80,238.85. Nifty 50 dragged 477.70 pts or 1.92 per cent to 24,388.

Both midcap and smallcap indexes declined nearly 3 per cent, with sectoral indices across the board in the red, led by metal, realty and PSU bank stocks, which dropped 4–5 per cent, amplifying the market weakness.

Metal, realty, PSU Bank stocks drag

Among the Nifty 50 pack, Coal India, Infosys and Bharti Airtel led the gainers, while Tata Steel, L&T, TMPV and JSW Steel fell sharply up to 8 per cent.

A total of 3,195 stocks were traded on the National Stock Exchange, with 445 advancing, 2,664 declining, and 86 remaining unchanged. Among these, 11 stocks reached their 52-week highs, while 535 hit their 52-week lows. Market volatility was evident as 29 stocks hit the upper circuit limits, but a significantly larger number, 134 stocks, touched their lower circuit limits.

Under the midcap segment, Oil India, Swiggy, Persistent Systems, PB Fintech and MphasiS posted modest gains, while SAIL, Bank of India, Indian Bank, NMDC and ITC Hotels fell 5-7 per cent.

Among the smallcap basket, Sagility, Zen Tech, Ola Electric and CreditAccess gained 2-7 per cent, while MGL, Aegis Vopak, PGEL and Hindustan Copper depreciated 5-8 per cent.

On the BSE, Bajaj Holdings, Sagility, Poly Medicure and Shree Renuka Sugars soared 6-9 per cent, while on the flip side, Petronet LNG, MGL and Lumax plunged up to 9 per cent at the time of writing.

Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments, advised investors to consider buying high-quality stocks in sectors like banking, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and defense for long-term opportunities.

Published on March 4, 2026