Although the benchmark indices opened lower, they traded negatively throughout the session and ultimately closed in red.

Indian equity benchmarks, Sensex and Nifty50, saw their worst session in a month on Thursday, falling for the fourth straight session amid heightened concerns over India-US trade tensions.

At the closing bell, the BSE Sensex closed lower by 780 points (down 0.9%).

Meanwhile, the NSE Nifty closed 264 points lower (down 1%).

Eternal, ICICI Bank, and Bajaj Finance are among the top gainers today.

Tech Mahindra, TCS, and Reliance Industries, on the other hand, were among the top losers today.

The GIFT Nifty was trading at  25, 970 higher at the time of writing.

The BSE MidCap index ended 1.9% lower, and the BSE SmallCap index ended 1.9% lower.

Sectoral indices are trading negatively today, with stocks oil & gas sector and the metal sector witnessing selling pressure.

The rupee is trading at Rs 89.9 against the US$.

Gold prices for the latest contract on MCX are trading 0.7% lower at Rs 137,021 per gram.

Meanwhile, silver prices were trading 3% lower at Rs 242,606 per 1 kg.

Four reasons why Indian share markets are falling:

#1 US Tariff Threat Weighs on Sentiment:

The market fell sharply after reports that the US might increase tariffs on Indian goods by up to 500% next week. This is linked to a new US law targeting countries buying discounted Russian oil.

#2 Foreign Investors Continue to Sell:

Foreign investors kept selling Indian stocks, with Rs 15.2 bn sold on Wednesday alone. So far in January, they have sold $694 million, making it hard for the market to recover.

#3 No US-India Trade Deal in Sight:

There has been little progress on a US-India trade deal, even after multiple talks between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi. This uncertainty has put pressure on the rupee and exporters.

#4 Heavyweight Stocks Drag Sensex Lower:

Large companies like Titan, HUL, HDFC Bank, ITC, Mahindra, and Maruti Suzuki saw declines, which pulled the Sensex down. Heavy selling in these key stocks added to overall market weakness.
 

IRB Infra Toll Revenue Boosts Shares

In the news from construction sector, shares of IRB came into focus after the company released its toll revenue figures for December 2025.

IRB Infrastructure Developers reported a 12% year-on-year increase in toll collections for December 2025, reaching Rs 7.54 billion (bn), up from Rs 6.75 bn a year ago. The revenue included contributions from the company's two infrastructure investment trusts, IRB InvIT Fund (Public) and IRB Infrastructure Trust (Private). The IRB MP Expressway in Maharashtra led the portfolio with Rs 1.70 bn, up from Rs 1.63 bn, followed by the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Express Tollway at Rs 0.84 bn, up from Rs 0.71 bn, and the Golconda Expressway (Hyderabad ORR) at Rs 0.79 bn, compared to Rs 0.71 bn last year.

In November 2025, toll revenue rose 16% year-on-year to Rs 7.16 bn from Rs 6.18 bn, with roads like the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway, and Hyderabad ORR collecting Rs 1.59 bn, up from Rs 1.46 bn a year earlier.

Separately, IRB secured a toll-operate-transfer (TOT) project in Odisha from NHAI for an upfront payment of Rs 30.87 bn. This deal is expected to accelerate the company's plans to build an asset portfolio worth Rs 1 trillion, making it the largest private toll road developer in India.
 

HUDCO Partners With Chhattisgarh Government

Moving on to the news from finance sector, shares of HUDCO came into focus after the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Government of Chhattisgarh.

Under this agreement, HUDCO may provide loans to financially independent agencies controlled by the Chhattisgarh government to support housing, core and non-core infrastructure, power, and renewable energy projects until FY2030.

According to the MoU, Chhattisgarh government agencies plan to seek up to Rs 200 bn per year, totaling Rs 1,000 bn over five years. HUDCO will consider giving term loans for eligible projects, based on its lending policies, project evaluations, availability of loan security, and individual project approvals.

The specific terms of each loan will be decided separately between HUDCO and the borrowing agency.

More By This Author:

Metal Stocks Drag; Sensex Today Trades Lower
Sensex Today Ends 376 Points Lower; Nifty Below 26,200
Sensex Today Trades Lower; Nifty Below 26,250