Indices trade slightly in red in early deals on Monday

Indian equity markets have made negative start and are trading slightly in red in early deals on Monday on account selling in HCL Technologies, TCS, Infosys and Sun Pharma companies’ stocks.  Traders were cautious after the U.S. sharply raised the one-time cost of H-1B visas to $100,000 (Rs 88 lakh). However, losses remained capped as Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) companies are looking at multiple sectors, such as infrastructure, data centres, banking, startups and logistics, in India to increase their investments. On the BSE sectoral front, traders were seen pilling up positions in Utilities, Power, Realty, Metal and Auto, while selling was witnessed in IT, TECK and Healthcare.

On the global front, Asian markets were trading mixed as investors assessed China’s key lending rate decision. The People’s Bank of China kept the one-year LPR unchanged at 3.0% while the five-year LPR remained at 3.5%. Back home, in the stock specific development, NBCC (India) gained as the company bagged work orders worth Rs 117.00 crore from Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO).  

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 82480.22, down by 146.01 points or 0.18% after trading in a range of 82151.07 and 82488.46. There were 17 stocks advancing against 13 stocks declining on the index.

The broader indices were trading mixed; the BSE Mid cap index was down by 0.09%, while Small cap index up by 0.06%.

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Utilities up by 2.07%, Power up by 1.73%, Realty up by 0.46%, Metal up by 0.33% and Auto up by 0.31%, while IT down by 2.30%, TECK down by 1.75% and Healthcare down by 0.38% were the top losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were Adani Ports up by 1.14%, Eternal up by 0.98%, Trent up by 0.84%, Bajaj Finance up by 0.70% and Ultratech Cement up by 0.53%. On the flip side, Tech Mahindra down by 3.96%, HCL Technologies down by 2.36%, TCS down by 2.29%, Infosys down by 2.22% and Sun Pharma down by 0.53% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) companies are looking at multiple sectors, such as infrastructure, data centres, banking, startups and logistics, in India to increase their investments. He said the two countries have reset their targets and are actively working to increase investments rapidly in different sectors, and enhancing collaborations in areas such as renewable energy, shipbuilding, retail, and pharmaceuticals.

He stated ‘Infrastructure is one of the major sectors where UAE can see huge potential. There was a lot of interest in the banking sector and startups. The Interests of potential investors are there in the logistics ecosystem in India, green energy. The UAE is keen to look at investments.’ There are many ways through which India can increase collaborations with companies in the UAE, he said, adding the UAE's strength in investments is unparalleled. 

He said ‘Now the UAE is also investing deeply in high-tech areas, so we could even be looking at serious collaborations in technology sectors.’ He added that bankers are finding it increasingly attractive to expand their operations in India. Moreover, he said the UAE recognises India as a key investment destination. Besides, India has received $24 billion in FDI from the UAE during April 2000 and June 2025.

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 25300.90, down by 26.15 points or 0.10% after trading in a range of 25211.60 and 25303.15. There were 27 stocks advancing against 23 stocks declining on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were Adani Enterprises up by 2.74%, SBI Life up by 1.99%, HDFC Life Insurance up by 1.36%, Adani Ports up by 1.06% and Hero MotoCorp up by 0.96%. On the flip side, Tech Mahindra down by 3.95%, Wipro down by 2.18%, TCS down by 2.17%, Infosys down by 2.16% and HCL Technologies down by 2.04% were the top losers.

Asian markets are trading mixed; Nikkei 225 surged 693.19 points or 1.54% to 45,739.00, Taiwan Weighted added 279.02 points or 1.08% to 25,857.39, Shanghai Composite strengthened 2.5 points or 0.07% to 3,822.59 and KOSPI increased 33.40 points or 0.96% to 3,478.64. However, Jakarta Composite plunged 16.8 points or 0.21% to 8,034.32, Hang Seng declined 241.1 points or 0.91% to 26,304.00 and Straits Times fell 1.48 points or 0.03% to 4,301.23.