Stock markets end lower on weak global trends amid U.S. tariff jitters; post over 5% gains in FY25

National Stock Exchange (NSE). File.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed lower on the last trading day of the 2024-25 fiscal on Friday (March 28, 2025), mirroring weak trends in global markets amid uncertainties over Trump tariffs.

The 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex declined 191.51 points or 0.25% to settle at 77,414.92 in a volatile trading session. During the day, it slumped 420.81 points or 0.54% to 77,185.62.

The NSE Nifty dropped 72.60 points or 0.31% to 23,519.35.

In the 2024-25 financial year, the Sensex jumped 3,763.57 points or 5.10%, and the Nifty climbed 1,192.45 points or 5.34%.

From the Sensex pack, IndusInd Bank dropped over 3.50%, followed by Mahindra & Mahindra which declined more than 2%. HCL Tech, Maruti, Infosys, Zomato, Power Grid, Adani Ports, Tata Consultancy Services and UltraTech Cement were also among the laggards.

Kotak Mahindra Bank, Hindustan Unilever, ICICI Bank, Tata Motors, Nestle and Bharti Airtel were among the gainers.

In Asian markets, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong settled with deep cuts. European markets were quoting in the negative territory. U.S. markets ended lower on Thursday.

“Asian markets are experiencing a new phase of consolidation as the latest U.S. tariff measures are expected to have a significant impact on major manufacturing economies. Additionally, a rise in Japan’s CPI has contributed to the prevailing weakness.

“Domestically, the market’s upward momentum has stalled as investors evaluate the implications of these tariffs on the auto, ancillary, pharma and others sectors,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth ₹11,111.25 crore on Thursday, according to exchange data.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.18% to $74.16 a barrel.

The BSE benchmark gauge climbed 317.93 points or 0.41% to settle at 77,606.43 on Thursday. The Nifty rallied 105.10 points or 0.45% to 23,591.95.