Sensex Drops 1.39% on May 18; Tata Steel, SBI & More in Red

Indian equity markets witnessed sharp selling pressure on May 18, 2026, with the BSE Sensex falling 1,043.16 points or 1.39% to trade at 74,194.83 during early morning trade. The index opened lower at 74,807.97 and slipped further to an intraday low of 74,193.98.

The broader market weakness reflected cautious investor sentiment amid heavy selling in metal, banking, infrastructure, and power stocks.

Top Losers Drag the Market Lower

Several heavyweight stocks traded deep in the red, contributing significantly to the decline in benchmark indices.

Tata Steel emerged as the biggest loser among Sensex-linked counters, falling 5.10% to ₹205.75. Power Grid Corporation also witnessed sharp selling pressure, declining 4.30% to ₹292.70.

State Bank of India (SBI) slipped 2.86% to ₹935.45, while Eternal dropped 2.80% to ₹234.30. Retail-focused stock Trent declined 2.78% to ₹3,987.45, and Adani Ports fell 2.76% to ₹1,746.10.

Weakness across key sectors such as metals, power, financials, and infrastructure weighed heavily on overall market sentiment.

IT and Telecom Stocks Offer Limited Support

Despite the broader market correction, a few stocks managed to remain in positive territory during the session.

Infosys gained 0.86% to ₹1,128.00, supported by selective buying interest in IT shares. Bharti Airtel also traded higher by 0.50% at ₹1,914.05, while Tech Mahindra remained marginally positive, rising 0.05% to ₹1,371.00.

The gains in technology and telecom counters, however, were insufficient to offset losses across other major sectors.

Also Read: Mutual Funds Exit Sanghi Industries and 7 Other Stocks in Portfolio Reshuffle in April 2026!

Conclusion

The sharp decline in the Sensex highlights continued volatility in Indian equity markets, especially in sectors like metals, banking, and infrastructure. While selective buying was visible in IT and telecom stocks, broader market sentiment remained weak. Investors may continue to monitor global developments, corporate earnings, and economic indicators before making fresh investment decisions in the near term.

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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