Equity benchmark Sensex tumbled over 350 points in early trade on Tuesday, tracking losses in index majors Infosys, Reliance Industries and HDFC twins amid a negative trend in the global markets.
The 30-share index slumped 356.6 points or 0.61 per cent to 57,926.82 in opening trade. Similarly, the Nifty fell 98.35 points or 0.57 per cent to 17,269.90.
Bajaj Finance was the top loser in the Sensex pack, shedding over 1 per cent, followed by HDFC, Kotak Bank, IndusInd Bank, M&M, Bajaj Auto and Bajaj Finserv.
On the other hand, PowerGrid, Dr Reddy’s, NTPC and ITC were among the gainers.
In the previous session, the 30-share equity benchmark slumped 503.25 points or 0.86 per cent to settle at 58,283.42, and Nifty fell 143.05 points or 0.82 per cent to 17,368.25.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers in the capital market as they sold shares worth Rs 2,743.44 crore on Monday, according to exchange data.
Even though it is early days, the fast spread of the Omicron virus, particularly in the UK, has added to the risk-off in global markets, said V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.
"In this backdrop, the FIIs have got another excuse to further press selling, particularly in their large holdings such as HDFC twins and RIL, taking the FII selling in December, so far, to around Rs 19,000 crore. The sharp decline in these heavy weights dragged the benchmark indices sharply," he said.
The immediate trend in the market will be determined by how Omicron pans out and its impact on economic activity, he said, adding if it turns into a third wave in India, the markets would correct sharply. On the other hand, if this passes off like the Delta variant, the markets will rebound smartly.
Elsewhere in Asia, bourses in Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul and Hong Kong were trading with significant losses in mid-session deals.
Stock exchanges on Wall Street, too, ended in the red in the overnight session.
Meanwhile, the international oil benchmark Brent crude fell 0.48 per cent to $74.03 per barrel.