MUMBAI: Indian stock markets opened sharply lower on Thursday, with key equity benchmarks declining more than 1 per cent amid fresh escalation in the West Asia conflict.
Sensex opened at 72, 262, down 872 points or 1.19 per cent, while the Nifty fell 1.31 per cent or around 300 points to open at 22, 383.40. Both the indices fell further as trading progressed in early hours.
All sectors opened in the red, with banking, realty, chemicals, auto, metal, and healthcare among the top losers. Sun Pharma, IndiGo, Asian Paints, Shriram Finance, Larsen and Toubro, Axis Bank, Eternal, and Trent were the top laggards in the 50-scrip Nifty basket.
Sentiment was hit after US President Donald Trump stopped short of outlining a roadmap to end the conflict in West Asia amid fresh threats.