The Sensex touched a low of 75,868, down 1,682 points, or 2 per cent. Likewise, the Nifty 50 hit an intraday low of 23,555, down 495 points, or 2 per cent
Here's how leading market analysts see the road ahead for Indian markets amid the recent developments.
Crude oil prices surged above $100 per barrel as escalating tensions in West Asia spooked investors
Indian refiners stepped up purchases of Russian oil after the Trump administration granted waivers that are set to expire this month
US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell $1.30, or 1.3 per cent, to settle at $96.57 a barrel, with a weekly decline of 13.4 per cent, its largest since April 2020
Brent crude futures were up 5 cents, or 0.05 per cent, at $95.97 a barrel by 1150 GMT
Here's how leading brokerages have interpreted the recent developments in West Asia and their likely impact on stock markets and crude oil prices.
As the world scrambles to recover from the biggest energy shock in decades triggered by the West Asia conflict, India should be cautious about relying on traditional supply assumptions, particularly its proximity to the Middle East for sourcing oil and gas, ONGC Chairman and CEO Arun Kumar Singh said on Friday. India, which relied on the Middle East to meet nearly half of its crude oil imports, 30 per cent of its gas and 85-90 per cent of LPG, must invest in building strategic storages as an insurance against price and supply disruptions, he said. The six-week long was shut the only shipping lane that was used by the Gulf countries to export crude oil (raw material for making petrol and diesel), natural gas (used to make fertilizer, generate electricity, turn into CNG to power automobiles and piped to household kitchens for cooking) and cooking gas LPG. This led to an energy crisis in several importing countries, including India which had to prioritise supply of gas. "Thinking that
Imports from Russia averaged 1.98 million barrels a day in March, the highest since June 2023, according to data from intelligence firm Kpler
Brent crude futures gained 83 cents, or 0.87 per cent, to $96.75 a barrel as of 0100 GMT
Oil secretary flags higher dependence on Hormuz route for crude, gas and LPG, underscores need for resilient infrastructure amid West Asia tensions
Equity, by its nature, Rashesh Shah, CMD, Edelweiss Financial Services believes, is not a one- or two-year asset class, it represents ownership in businesses that compound over a decade.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said in a statement on X that three clauses of the ceasefire proposal have been violated
Both benchmark prices fell below $100 per barrel in the previous trading session, with WTI recording its biggest decline since April 2020 on expectations the ceasefire ending the fight
Mohammed Imran of Mirae Asset Sharekhan expects that Brent and WTI floor prices would remain elevated at pre-war levels
BS 1000 companies brace for potential earnings collapse if crude keeps climbing
Markets had discounted the bad news with select pockets seeing a dip of over 15 per cent, which have recovered partially now, Arora of Helios Capital said.
Refiners have purchased Iranian oil amid the West Asia conflict that has disrupted supplies through the Strait of Hormuz
Crude oil prices retreated sharply on Wednesday crashing by 6 per cent to hit their lower circuit level in futures trade, tracking weak global benchmarks after the US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire. On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), crude oil futures for the April delivery slumped by Rs 640, or 6 per cent, to Rs 10,029 per barrel -- its lower circuit limit. Similarly, the May contract declined by Rs 565, or 6 per cent, to Rs 8,860 per barrel, also hitting its lower circuit limit amid aggressive selling as easing tensions reduced fears of supply disruptions. Globally, oil prices retreated after the ceasefire announcement between the US and Iran, which is expected to restore supply flows through the Strait of Hormuz - a key transit route for nearly one-fifth of global oil shipments. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for May delivery tumbled by USD 17.11, or 15.15 per cent, to USD 95.84 per barrel, while Brent oil for June contract plunged by USD 14.52, or 13.2
Typically WTI trades at a discount to Brent, but this has reversed in a market where barrels for earlier delivery command a higher price