Nifty 50 Falls Over 1% on March 2; L&T Leads Losses While BEL Gains

Indian equity markets traded sharply lower on March 2, 2026, with benchmark indices witnessing broad-based selling pressure during the session. As of 09:53 AM IST, the Nifty 50 declined 268.80 points, or 1.07%, to trade at 24,909.85 compared to its previous close of 25,178.65.

Market breadth remained decisively negative, with 44 stocks declining, only 6 advancing, and none remaining unchanged.

Benchmark Index Performance

The Nifty 50 opened at 24,659.25 and touched an intraday high of 24,989.35, while the day’s low stood at 24,645.10. Trading volumes remained strong, with over 12.45 crore shares exchanged.

The decline pushed the index further away from its 52-week high of 26,373.20, though it continues to trade above its yearly low of 21,743.65.

Heavyweights Drag Markets Lower

Several index heavyweights contributed to the downward momentum. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) emerged as one of the biggest laggards, falling 4.60% amid selling pressure. Financial stocks also traded weak, with HDFC Bank slipping 0.38% and Bajaj Finserv declining 1.01%.

Consumer and pharmaceutical stocks also remained under pressure. Cipla dropped nearly 1%, while Nestlé India and Tata Consumer Products recorded moderate losses.

Select Stocks Show Resilience

Despite overall market weakness, a few stocks managed to post gains. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) stood out as a key gainer, rising 2.57%, supported by buying interest in defence-related counters. HDFC Life Insurance also traded marginally higher, gaining 0.20%.

ONGC remained relatively stable with limited downside, reflecting resilience in energy stocks compared to broader market trends.

Also Read: SBI Mutual Fund Gets RBI Nod to Acquire Up to 9.99% in Bandhan Bank!

Conclusion

The sharp imbalance between advances and declines signals cautious investor sentiment, likely driven by profit booking and sectoral weakness. While selective stocks showed resilience, broader market participation remained negative. Investors may continue to monitor global cues, institutional flows, and sector-specific developments for directional clarity in the coming sessions.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a private recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

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