Stock market crash today: Indian stock market benchmark indices, Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, tanked in opening trade on Monday as fresh geopolitical tensions weigh on sentiment, following the collapse of US-Iran peace talks and a sharp rise in oil prices. While Nifty50 went below 23,600, BSE Sensex was down over 1,500 points. At 9:16 AM, Nifty50 was at 23,608.45, down 442 points or 1.84%. BSE Sensex was trading at 75,988.32, down 1,562 points or 2.01%.VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “With the failure of US-Iran peace talks and Trump’s declaration of US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, uncertainty and along with it crude price have spiked. Brent at $103 is emerging as yet another threat to the economy and markets. How this naval blockade, which in effect will be a US blockade of Iran’s blockade, will play out remains to be seen. There can be dramatic developments on the geopolitical front and consequently on markets also. The ideal strategy in this ultra-uncertain situation is to wait and watch.”“Rupee might come under renewed pressure in the new unfavourable scenario. The mild FPI buying witnessed last Friday is again likely to reverse further impacting sentiments.”The rebound seen last week, which came after six straight weeks of losses, was driven by supportive global cues and optimism around a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran. However, that momentum is now at risk as negotiations have broken down and rhetoric has escalated again, particularly from Donald Trump.Global markets came under pressure on Monday as oil prices spiked and equities declined following the collapse of US-Iran peace talks and the announcement of a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz by US President Donald Trump.Crude prices surged sharply, rising about eight per cent, with both benchmark contracts climbing above $100 a barrel. The jump reversed last week’s decline, which had followed a temporary ceasefire between the two nations. The renewed escalation has heightened concerns over disruptions to energy supplies from the Middle East, a region critical to global oil flows.Equity markets across Asia weakened in response to the developments. Major indices in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Seoul fell more than one per cent, while markets in Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Taipei and Jakarta also traded lower, reflecting broad risk aversion among investors.The US dollar strengthened to a one-week high in Asian trade, gaining broadly against major currencies after the failed talks and as the US Navy moved to enforce a blockade on Iranian ports. The dollar index rose as much as 0.5% to 99.187, its highest level since April 7.On the institutional front, foreign portfolio investors were net buyers to the tune of Rs 672 crore on Friday, while domestic institutional investors also remained net buyers at Rs 410 crore.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
