Shares of oil-related companies were in focus on Thursday amid reports of likely US sanctions on Russian oil. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had indicated there would be potential sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine this week. Crude Oil prices were trading at five-week lows as markets awaited the US sanctions decision on Russia. That apart, tariffs on India and Opec+ supply plans also weigh on the sentiment. The US has imposed an additional 25 per cent (total 50 per cent) tariff on Indian goods, in its bid to deter India from buying Russian oil. According to Reuters report, Indian refiners are awaiting government directions on whether to continue buying Russian oil. READ MORE Meanwhile on Thursday, on the bourses, the Nifty Oil & Gas index was down 0.8 per cent at 10,930 levels. BPCL, Gujarat Gas and HPCL were the top losers, down around 1.5 per cent each. Index heavyweights Reliance Industries and ONGC were down close to a per cent each. Technical chart shows that the Nifty Oil & Gas index is trading near its key long-term moving average. Charts suggest up to 18 per cent downside risk of Reliance, ONGC and shares of oil marketing companies.

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