Indian equity markets opened lower on Monday, August 10, with the benchmark Sensex declining around 100 points to trade near 78,400, while the Nifty50 was down about 30 points at around 24,550. Selling pressure was visible across key sectors, particularly energy, banking and FMCG stocks.

The decline came despite positive signals from major Asian markets and gains recorded by US equities in the previous session. Investors are also tracking fresh initial public offerings (IPOs), foreign and domestic institutional flows, and broader global market trends for direction.

Sensex, Nifty Trade Lower

The Sensex was trading around 78,400, down nearly 100 points during the session. The Nifty50 was also under pressure, slipping approximately 30 points to around 24,550.

Energy and banking stocks were among the major areas witnessing selling activity, while FMCG shares also faced pressure. The movement suggests that investors remain cautious despite a relatively positive trend in overseas markets.

The domestic market had ended the previous week on a weaker note. On Friday, August 7, the Sensex declined 455 points to close at 78,499, while the Nifty fell 65 points to settle at 24,570.

Two IPOs Open for Subscription

Investor attention is also focused on the primary market, with the IPOs of Molbio Diagnostics and Dhoot Transmissionopening for subscription on Monday.

Molbio Diagnostics is looking to raise around ₹939.70 crore through its IPO, while Dhoot Transmission aims to raise approximately ₹3,066.89 crore.

Both issues will remain open for investors until August 12. The simultaneous opening of the two IPOs gives investors additional options in the primary market at a time when the secondary market is witnessing volatility.

Asian Markets Remain Positive

The weakness in Indian equities was not reflected across major Asian markets. Several key regional indices were trading higher on Monday.

South Korea's KOSPI was at 6,307, gaining 57 points or 0.77%. Japan's Nikkei climbed 1,325 points, or 2.02%, to 66,931. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index also advanced 153 points, or 0.59%, to 25,821.

The positive regional cues, however, have not been sufficient to push Indian benchmarks higher in early trading.

US Markets Ended Higher

Indian investors are also taking cues from the US market's performance on Friday, August 7.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 152 points, or 0.28%, to close at 54,037. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 342 points, or 1.30%, to 26,691, while the S&P 500 rose 48 points, or 0.62%, to finish at 7,758.

The gains in US equities provide a relatively supportive global backdrop, although domestic factors continue to influence Indian markets.

Institutional Flows Provide Support

Foreign investors have remained active in Indian equities over the past week. According to the available data, Foreign Institutional Investors (FII/FPI) bought shares worth around ₹1,966 crore over the last seven trading days.

Over the latest reported period, FII/FPI buying stood at approximately ₹480 crore. However, their 30-day net position remained negative at around ₹7,464 crore.

Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), meanwhile, have provided stronger support. DII buying stood at around ₹6,196 crore over seven days and approximately ₹31,601 crore over the past 30 days.

Investors Await Fresh Triggers

The market is likely to remain sensitive to sector-specific movements, institutional flows, global cues and developments in the primary market. With the Sensex and Nifty beginning the week in negative territory despite gains in Asian and US markets, investors may continue to watch whether buying support emerges at lower levels.

The performance of banking, energy and FMCG stocks, along with subscription trends in the two IPOs, could remain among the key factors influencing market sentiment during Monday's trading session.