Mumbai: Indian equity markets traded in a narrow range on Tuesday as investor optimism over corporate earnings was offset by concerns about global geopolitical tensions and trade risks.
The benchmark Sensex and Nifty opened almost flat, reflecting a cautious mood among investors after recent record highs. Market participants said positive business updates and expectations of stable quarterly results were helping sentiment, but global developments continued to limit gains.
Investors remained watchful about rising geopolitical tensions, including uncertainty around global trade policies and fresh tariff warnings from the United States linked to India’s energy ties with Russia. These concerns made traders hesitant to take fresh positions despite supportive domestic signals.
Earnings optimism provided some support, with companies such as Titan Company and Jubilant FoodWorks reporting encouraging business updates that lifted interest in select consumer and retail stocks.
Banking and heavyweight stocks showed mixed movement. Shares of HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries saw mild pressure, contributing to the flat overall trend, while some mid cap and consumer focused stocks attracted buying.
Meanwhile, the Indian rupee remained largely stable, supported by expectations that the Reserve Bank of India would step in to smooth sharp currency swings if needed. Lower global oil prices also helped ease some cost related concerns for the economy.
Market experts said Indian equities may continue to move in a range in the near term, with stock specific action driven by earnings announcements. While domestic fundamentals remain steady, global political developments and trade signals are expected to guide broader market direction in the coming days.