Key Points

Investor sentiment was also hit by a sharp selloff in IT stocks after Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) reported weaker-than-expected earnings for the first quarter (Q1) of FY25.

The Sensex dropped 689.81 points, or 0.83 per cent, to close at 82,500.47. Similarly, the Nifty index slipped 205.4 points, or 0.81 per cent, to settle at 25,149.85.

"The domestic market experienced a negative close due to a sober start to Q1 earnings season and a ramp-up in the tariff threat by the US to impose a 35 per cent tariff on Canada,” Vinod Nair of Geojit Investments Limited said.

“Investors may continue to be focused on quarterly earnings for a buy-on-dips strategy; however, in the near term, the current premium valuation and the global headwinds like low spending & tariff uncertainties may restrain new inflows,” Nair added.

Among the 30 stocks on the Sensex, TCS, Mahindra and Mahindra, Tata Motors, Bharti Airtel, HCL Technologies and Titan were among the top losers, with losses of up to 3.5 per cent.

On the positive side, Hindustan Unilever, Axis Bank, Sun Pharma, NTPC and Eternal were the top gainers.

Broader markets also came under pressure. The Nifty MidCap index declined by 0.88 per cent, while the Nifty SmallCap index lost 1.02 per cent.

Sector-wise, IT and auto stocks were the biggest losers. Both the Nifty IT and Nifty Auto indices fell nearly 1.8 per cent each.

TCS' lower-than-expected quarterly earnings weighed heavily on the IT pack. Other sectors such as realty, oil and gas, media, energy, banking, metal, and consumer durables also ended in the red.

However, some pockets of the market remained resilient. The Nifty FMCG and Pharma indices closed with gains, offering some support to the overall market.

Experts noted that markets traded under pressure on Friday and lost over half a per cent, dragged down by weak cues.

“The session began on a negative note following disappointing results from IT major TCS, which further worsened due to profit-taking in heavyweight stocks across other sectors,” said Ajit Mishra of Religare Broking Limited.

He also added that the sentiment remained subdued due to ongoing uncertainty around tariff-related issues and a weak start to the earnings season.

Meanwhile, market volatility saw a slight uptick. The India VIX, which indicates investor sentiment and market volatility, rose 1.24 per cent to end at 11.81.

- IANS