FX.co ★ Sensex Finishes in the Red, Posts Monthly Loss

India’s BSE Sensex extended its early losses to close about 1.2% lower at 81,287 on Friday, its weakest finish since early February and the second consecutive session of declines. Sentiment remained subdued amid renewed foreign fund outflows and mounting nervousness over stalled US–Iran nuclear talks.

Selling was broad-based, with sustained profit-taking in financials, autos, and select consumption stocks, even as IT shares offered only limited support. On the macroeconomic front, investors focused on the upcoming release of domestic GDP data and US inflation figures.

Private-sector banking majors led the downturn: ICICI Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank each slipped 1.9%, while HDFC Bank lost 1.3%. Among state-run lenders, State Bank of India declined 0.6%. In the auto pack, Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra & Mahindra fell 2.5% and 2.3%, respectively.

Within the IT space, Infosys and HCL Technologies each gained 0.8%, while TCS edged down 0.3%. For the week, the Sensex shed 1.8%, and it ended the month with a 1.2% decline.