MARKET BRIEF: RUPEE AND EQUITIES The Indian rupee faced mild pressure in early Friday trade, depreciating by **4 paise** to hit **90.95** against the US dollar. This movement follows a period of volatile institutional flows and cautious sentiment in domestic equity markets. Despite the slight dip, the local currency found a floor near the **91.00** mark. This stability was primarily supported by a softer US Dollar Index (DXY), which slipped to **97.67**, and a cooling trend in global energy markets. EQUITY MARKET PERFORMANCE Domestic benchmarks opened in the red as investors reacted to global trade uncertainties. The **BSE Sensex** dropped over **250 points** in early deals, testing levels around **81,992**. Simultaneously, the **Nifty 50** hovered near **25,413**, marking a decline of approximately **0.33%**. Selling pressure was most visible in the automotive and telecommunications sectors. Heavyweights such as **Maruti Suzuki** fell **1.5%**, while **Bharti Airtel** and **Mahindra & Mahindra** also featured among the top laggards. In contrast, the IT sector emerged as a defensive stronghold. The **Nifty IT index** climbed over **1%**, led by a **2%** gain in **Infosys**. Other tech giants, including **TCS** and **HCLTech**, traded in green territory, helping to offset broader index losses. INSTITUTIONAL FLOWS AND CRUDE IMPACT Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers, with an outflow of **₹3,465.99 crore** recorded in the latest session. This persistent exit by foreign funds has been a primary driver of recent rupee depreciation. However, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) acted as a significant cushion, recording a net purchase of **₹5,031.57 crore**. This strong domestic support has prevented a more aggressive sell-off in Indian equities. On the commodities front, **Brent crude** prices remained relatively stable, trading near **$70.84** per barrel. Markets are currently weighing the impact of extended US-Iran nuclear negotiations and an upcoming OPEC+ meeting scheduled for Sunday. A steady or falling oil price typically eases the import bill for India, providing fundamental support to the rupee. KEY INDICATORS AT A GLANCE * **USD/INR:** 90.95 (-0.04 paise) * **Dollar Index (DXY):** 97.67 (-0.12%) * **Brent Crude:** $70.84 (+0.21%) * **FII Net Flow:** -₹3,465.99 Cr * **DII Net Flow:** +₹5,031.57 Cr The near-term outlook for the currency remains tied to the **21-day Exponential Moving Average** on equity charts and the outcome of international geopolitical discussions. While FII caution persists, the robust participation of domestic funds continues to stabilize the broader financial landscape.