Equity markets fall in early trade amid West Asia tensions and rising crude prices

Indian equity markets opened lower on Friday due to rising crude oil prices and escalating tensions in West Asia, which hurt investor sentiment. Weak global cues and continued foreign fund outflows further pressured the Sensex and Nifty during early trade. The 30-share BSE Sensex declined and the 50-share NSE Nifty dropped, with several firms including Mahindra & Mahindra and HDFC Bank performing poorly. Brent crude traded higher at USD 101.3 per barrel, adding to investor concerns.