New Delhi, 13 March (H.S.): Indian equities extended their downward spiral in early trading today, with the BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty indices reflecting pronounced weakness amid fierce tussles between bulls and bears.

Markets kicked off feebly, witnessing sharp swings as traders jostled for control; by 10 AM, the Sensex had shed 1.17% while the Nifty slipped 1.24%.

Blue-Chip Movers

Among Sensex heavyweights, Hindustan Unilever, Power Grid Corporation, Tata Consumer Products, ITC, and Bharti Airtel posted gains ranging from 0.43% to 1.09%.

Conversely, Hindalco Industries, Tata Steel, Larsen & Toubro, JSW Steel, and InterGlobe Aviation dragged lower, declining 1.85% to 3.10%.

Out of 2,617 active stocks, 559 traded green with profits, but 2,058 languished in red. Sensex's 30 components saw just 6 in the positive, 24 under selling pressure; Nifty's 50 had 8 gainers against 42 decliners.

Index Trajectories

The BSE Sensex opened at 75,444.22, down 590.20 points, briefly plunging to 75,316.86 before rebounding to 75,576.20 on buying support—only to resume falling, trading at 75,143.14 after a 891.28-point or 1.17% drop by 10 AM.

NSE's Nifty mirrored the volatility, opening at 23,462.50 (down 176.65 points), peaking at 23,492.40 and dipping to 23,344.20, settling at 23,346.05—a 293.10-point or 1.24% retreat.

Thursday's close had already signaled caution: Sensex ended at 76,034.42 (down 829.29 points or 1.08%), Nifty at 23,639.15 (off 227.70 points or 0.95%).

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar