Sensex crashes 363 points as US-China trade tensions re-emerge

Press Trust of India  |  Mumbai 

Equity benchmark Sensex Monday plummeted nearly 363 points in line with global market sell-offs as investors panicked sensing fresh trouble for the world economy after the US vowed to further raise tariffs on Chinese goods.

In a sign of derailment of trade talks between the two global economic powers the US and China, US on Sunday threatened to hike tariffs on USD 200 billion worth of Chinese goods.

Tracking tepid global market trend, the BSE gauge Sensex opened on a weak note at 38,719.33 against its previous close of 38,963.26. It lost further ground as the trade progressed and hit a low of 38,509.79 during the day. The index finally settled at 38,600.34, down 362.92 points or 0.93 per cent.

The broader Nifty too started off the session on a bearish note at 11,605.80. The benchmark fell to a low of 11,571.35 before settling the day at 11,598.25, losing 114 points or 0.97 per cent.

Indian equities traded under the shadow of volatile Asian stocks rattled by renewed fears that trade negotiations between the US and are on the verge of collapse.

Besides, depreciation in rupee and mixed quarterly results further hit investor's sentiment in the domestic market.

In the Sensex pack, emerged as the top loser with 5.30 per cent fall after ratings downgrade. Other major laggards were Tata Motors, Bajaj Finance, Tata Steel, and -- losing as much as 4.49 per cent.

Bucking the negative market trend, ITC, TCS, and ended in the green.

Sectorally, BSE consumer durables, metals, realty, capital goods and auto indices fell up to 2.82 per cent.

Broader, BSE midcap and smallcap indices too ended up to 0.85 per cent lower.

"Indian markets ended the day on sharp note with the Index closing around 114 points in the red. The fall in the markets was mainly due to US planning on doubling the tariff rate on USD 200 billion of Chinese goods," Hemang Jani, Head - Advisory, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, said.

According to traders, domestic market turned jittery after Trump's surprise move spooked global investors.

In a tweet on Sunday, Trump said he would raise import taxes on USD 200 billion in Chinese products to 25 per cent from 10 per cent on Friday.

Despite Trump's announcement, China's top is preparing to travel to the US to resume talks on Wednesday.

Asian markets remained under pressure owing to fresh concerns over US-trade talks. Chinese bourses sank led by Shanghai Composite Index that plunged 5.58 per cent. Benchmark indices of Japan, Hong Kong and also witnessed sharp declines. European equites were also trading significantly lower in early trade.

The rupee depreciated by 18 paise to 69.40 against the US dollar on Monday.

Global benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.92 per cent lower at USD 70.20 per barrel.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Mon, May 06 2019. 17:50 IST