The trends on Gift Nifty also indicate a positive start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 22,370 level, a premium of nearly 90 points from the Nifty futures’ previous close.

IT and financial stocks, where foreign investors hold significant stakes, accounted for half of Nifty 50’s losses.

The Sensex and Nifty fell nearly 2 per cent, driven by widespread selling as concerns about a potential global trade war and a slowing US economy unsettled investors. The market saw a total loss of Rs 8.