30.04.202604:30:45UTC+00Sensex Opens in Red, Still Up for Month

India’s BSE Sensex slipped about 1.1% to 76,677 on Thursday, erasing the previous session’s gains as risk sentiment weakened amid a sharp spike in crude oil prices. Brent crude advanced toward $120 per barrel, stoking worries over inflation and corporate profit margins after US President Donald Trump met with major oil companies to discuss measures to cushion the blow from a potential months-long blockade of Iran’s ports.

Adding to the pressure, the US Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, as widely expected, even as Iran war-related inflation risks intensified, prompting markets to price out any chances of rate cuts in 2026.

Domestically, traders remained cautious ahead of the long weekend and the May 4 state election results, which further dampened risk appetite. On the stock front, notable laggards included Waaree Energies (-9.1%), Garden Reach (-4.3%), Eternal (-3.2%), and Adani Energy (-5%), while Cemindia (+15%) and Syngene (+8.5%) stood out as the top gainers.

Despite Thursday’s pullback, the benchmark index was flat on the week and remains up about 6.6% so far this month.