The BSE Sensex dropped 268 points, or 0.3%, to 84,693 in Thursday morning deals, down for the fourth consecutive session and reaching its lowest level since December 30, as geopolitical uncertainties and US tariff concerns dampened optimism around earnings growth. Ongoing foreign outflows also continued to pressure sentiment. The Nifty fell 0.4%, while small- and mid-cap stocks declined by 0.4% and 0.8%, respectively. Most sectors traded in the red, led by metals, which fell 2%, followed by technology, manufacturing, and auto stocks. Metal stocks faced selling pressure amid a decline in copper and nickel prices, as investors booked profits, extending a pullback from recent record highs. Among individual stocks, Tata Consultancy Services plunged 3.0%, JSW Steel fell 2.0%, while Tata Steel and Tech Mahindra were each down 1.7%, and Reliance Industries slipped 1.1%.
