New Delhi, Jan. 8 -- The domestic equity benchmarks opened lower on Thursday as negative sentiment weighed on markets amid fresh threats of 500 per cent tariffs from the United States, continued foreign portfolio investor (FPI) outflows and rising geopolitical tensions.

The Nifty 50 index opened at 26,106.50, down 34.25 points or 0.13 per cent, while the BSE Sensex started the session at 84,778.02, declining 183.12 points or 0.22 per cent.

Market experts noted that pressure was visible across Asian markets after a recent US bill gave leverage against India, China and Brazil to stop them from purchasing Russian oil and punish countries involved in such trade.

Ajay Bagga, Banking and Market Expert, told ANI, "Indian markets will be in a ...