Stock markets trade lower on persistent foreign fund outflows, trade uncertainties

Market Performance - Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined in early trade on January 8, 2026, with Sensex down by 255.86 points to 84,705.28 and Nifty down by 65.9 points to 26,074.85 due to foreign fund outflows and concerns over potential U.S. tariff hikes [1] - Major laggards included Tata Consultancy Services, Asian Paints, Maruti, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, and UltraTech Cement [1] - Conversely, gainers included ICICI Bank, Adani Ports, Bharat Electronics, and Hindustan Unilever [2] Foreign Investment Trends - Foreign institutional investors sold equities worth ₹1,527.71 crore on January 7, 2026, while domestic institutional investors purchased stocks worth ₹2,889.32 crore [2] Economic Outlook - The Indian economy is projected to grow by 7.4% in FY26, maintaining its status as the fastest-growing major economy despite U.S. tariffs and geopolitical tensions [4] - This growth estimate surpasses the RBI's forecast of 7.3% and the government's initial projection of 6.3-6.8% [4] - However, the anticipated U.S.-India trade deal, crucial for India's sustained growth, is not forthcoming, which may hinder market performance despite strong economic fundamentals [3] Market Sentiment - Market sentiment remains cautious due to geopolitical tensions, tariff-related concerns, and ongoing foreign portfolio outflows, with both Nifty and Bank Nifty facing stiff overhead resistance [5] - U.S. markets ended mostly lower on January 7, 2026, reflecting broader market concerns [6]