This marks the second holiday this week, following March 31, 2026, when markets were closed for Mahavir Jayanti.
Domestic equity markets remained closed on Friday, April 3, 2026, on account of Good Friday, pausing trading activity after a highly volatile session in the previous day.
Trading on both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE is suspended for the holiday. Investors are taking stock of recent sharp swings driven by global uncertainties.
This marks the second holiday this week, following March 31, 2026, when markets were closed for Mahavir Jayanti.
On Thursday, benchmark indices witnessed significant intraday turbulence due to higher crude oil prices and rupee movements amid geopolitical tensions. They ended marginally higher. The BSE Sensex closed 185.23 points, or 0.25 per cent, higher at 73,319.55, after plunging as much as 1,588.5 points earlier in the session. Similarly, the Nifty 50 edged up 33.70 points, or 0.15 per cent, to settle at 22,713.10, recovering from a low of 22,182.55.
The rebound was largely attributed to short covering, as broader sentiment remained cautious. Sectoral trends reflected mixed participation, with IT, telecom, and realty stocks posting gains. Most other sectors—including consumer durables, pharma, healthcare, and chemicals—ended in the red.
Despite the late recovery, the broader market mood continues to be fragile. Since the escalation of tensions in West Asia, benchmark indices have declined by over 11 per cent. This highlights the impact of geopolitical risks on investor confidence.
Earlier in the week, however, markets had shown signs of resilience.
On Wednesday, the BSE Sensex surged 1,186.77 points to close at 73,134.32, while the Nifty 50 gained 348 points to 22,679.40. This marked a positive start to the new financial year, FY27.
Market participants now remain watchful of global developments, particularly geopolitical cues, which continue to dictate near-term direction. Analysts suggest that volatility is likely to persist, with markets reacting swiftly to headlines amid a lack of strong directional triggers.
Asian markets staged volatility after opening with modest gains. Meanwhile, Wall Street ended marginally mixed on Thursday after trimming earlier losses. It was unsettled by US President Donald Trump’s renewed threats of tougher action against Iran ahead of the long holiday weekend.
Published on April 3, 2026
