Indian equity markets ended lower on Wednesday as a sharp rise in India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation in September 2026 weighed on investor sentiment. Traders were cautious as crude oil prices rose amid concerns over supply disruptions, with tensions continuing to escalate in the West Asia amid fighting between Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
Both the Sensex and Nifty gave up their opening gains and closed in the red following a sharp sell-off in the second half of the session. Selling pressure in heavyweight stocks across the insurance, financial, and pharma sectors further dampened investor sentiment.
Some of the important factors in trade:
FIIs extend selling streak: Some concerns came as foreign institutional investors (FIIs) extended their selling streak, offloading equities worth Rs 1,305.13 crore on Tuesday.
Wholesale inflationary pressures intensify in India in September: Sentiments remained downbeat as India's wholesale price index (WPI) inflation rose significantly in the month of September 2026 to 11.39 per cent, as compared to 9.92 per cent in August 2026, due to a sharp rise in fuel and power, food and manufactured product prices.
India needs reliable, technology-enabled statistics to achieve developed nation goal by 2047: Traders took note of Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P. K. Mishra's statement that India requires a modern, reliable and technology-driven statistical system to support evidence-based policymaking and achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
On the global front: European stocks were trading in green, following upbeat results from Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML. Asian markets closed mostly lower following the broadly negative cues from Wall Street overnight.
The BSE Sensex ended at 72781.89, down by 251.89 points or 0.34% after trading in a range of 72578.75 and 73195.26. There were 11 stocks advancing against 19 stocks declining on the index. (Provisional)
The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Utilities up by 2.07%, Power up by 1.74%, IT up by 1.41%, Energy up by 1.28% and FMCG up by 1.14%, while Healthcare down by 0.93%, Auto down by 0.87%, Realty down by 0.80%, Telecom down by 0.73% and Metal down by 0.49% were the top losing indices on BSE. (Provisional)
The top gainers on the Sensex were Infosys up by 2.84%, Tech Mahindra up by 2.08%, TCS up by 1.65%, Reliance Industries up by 1.53% and Hindustan Unilever up by 1.18%. On the flip side, Bajaj Finserv down by 2.57%, Sun Pharma down by 2.27%, Bajaj Finance down by 2.15%, Mahindra & Mahindra down by 1.86% and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone down by 1.79% were the top losers. (Provisional)
Meanwhile, with an aim of boosting trade, India and Canada have discussed expediting negotiations for the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which seeks to provide deeper market access for each other’s goods and services. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held discussions with his Canadian counterpart, Maninder Sidhu. Goyal said the focus is on a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement that enhances market access and unlocks new trade and investment opportunities.
He expressed confidence that the CEPA would give fresh momentum to bilateral trade and strengthen the economic partnership for shared prosperity. A CEPA is a type of free trade agreement under which two trading partners significantly reduce or eliminate import duties on a wide range of goods traded between them. It also eases norms to promote trade in services and investment.
The meeting assumes significance as chief negotiators from both countries concluded the fifth round of negotiations on the pact in Canada on October 9, 2026. Both sides aim to conclude the negotiations by the end of this year. Bilateral trade in goods declined around 8 per cent to $7.95 billion in 2025-26 from over $8 in 2024-25.
The CNX Nifty ended at 22622.70, down by 99.25 points or 0.44% after trading in a range of 22558.95 and 22757.95. There were 16 stocks advancing against 34 stocks declining on the index. (Provisional)
The top gainers on Nifty were Nestle India up by 3.69%, Tata Consumer Products up by 2.91%, Infosys up by 2.44%, Coal India up by 2.06% and Tech Mahindra up by 2.05%. On the flip side, Shriram Finance down by 3.85%, HDFC Life Insurance down by 2.85%, Bajaj Finance down by 2.62%, Mahindra & Mahindra down by 2.47% and SBI Life Insurance down by 2.20% were the top losers. (Provisional)
European markets were trading higher; France’s CAC rose 55.97 points or 0.72% to 7,883.60, Germany’s DAX gained 168.6 points or 0.67% to 25,428.50, and UK’s FTSE 100 increased 48.6 points or 0.46% to 10,698.93.
Asian markets settled mostly lower on Wednesday due to caution ahead of US inflation data which will provide cues of the Federal Reserve's next policy move, while rising crude oil prices amid escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi rebels also added pressure. Market sentiment weakened further after Dutch chip-equipment maker ASML said it would be unable to fully meet demand in 2027 and 2028, fuelling concerns over the sustainability of the artificial intelligence (AI) investment boom. However, some losses were limited as US Treasury yields eased following dovish remarks from New York Fed President John Williams, who stated that one additional rate hike may be appropriate late this year. He also indicated that further tightening might not be necessary in 2027.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,767.23 | -33.64 | -0.88 |
Hang Seng | 24,314.17 | -31.05 | -0.13 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,943.02 | 17.04 | 0.29 |
KLSE Composite | 1,627.72 | 4.37 | 0.27 |
Nikkei 225 | 67,744.29 | -33.23 | -0.05 |
Straits Times | 5,423.33 | -7.17 | -0.13 |
KOSPI Composite | 6,008.81 | -26.54 | -0.44 |
Taiwan Weighted | 48,625.83 | 284.52 | 0.59 |
