Global Market Pulse: January 30, 2026 **Equities: Pre-Budget Nerves Trigger Sell-Off** Global and domestic markets are trading with caution today. Indian benchmark indices witnessed a sharp correction as investors booked profits ahead of the Union Budget scheduled for Sunday, February 1. The **BSE Sensex** tumbled over **470 points** to trade near **82,094**, while the **Nifty 50** dropped **154 points** to hover around **25,264**. Sector-wise, volatility is high. **Metal and IT stocks** are the primary laggards, dragging the indices down. Major heavyweights like **Tata Steel** and **Infosys** saw losses of up to **5%**. Conversely, defensive buying was observed in **ITC** and **SBI**, which posted marginal gains. The broader market sentiment remains risk-averse, with the **India VIX** (volatility index) rising **5%**, signaling heightened anxiety among traders. **Crypto: Major Correction Across the Board** The cryptocurrency market is facing intense selling pressure. **Bitcoin (BTC)** plunged approximately **6.5%**, falling below the **$82,100** mark. **Ethereum (ETH)** followed suit, shedding **7.5%** to trade near **$2,730**. The total crypto market capitalization shrank by over **5%** today, dropping to **$2.78 trillion**. Market analysts attribute this downturn to leveraged position liquidations and a broader "risk-off" sentiment affecting speculative assets. Altcoins like **Solana** and **XRP** also registered significant declines of **7-8%**. **Commodities: Gold and Silver Slide** Precious metals are witnessing a sharp pullback due to profit-taking after recent highs. **Gold** prices on the international market corrected to approximately **$5,200** per ounce, down **3-4%**. On the domestic front (MCX), gold futures dropped significantly, trading around **₹151,885** per 10 grams. **Silver** took a harder hit, crashing over **5%** to **₹315,300** per kg. Meanwhile, crude oil prices remain subdued but stable, with **Brent Crude** trading at **$70.50** per barrel and **WTI** at **$64.87**, reflecting concerns over global demand despite geopolitical tensions. **Economic Watch** All eyes are now on the **Union Budget 2026** presentation this weekend, which is expected to drive the market's direction for the coming weeks. Additionally, global investors are monitoring the **US Federal Reserve's** policy cues, contributing to the defensive posture in equities and commodities alike.