Stock Market Open Today, August 13, 2026: Sensex, Nifty Decline In Early Trade After Lower Open Amid Middle East Tensions 

Mumbai, August 13: Indian benchmark indices opened lower on Thursday as cautious sentiment around Middle East tensions outweighed positive cues from inflation data. The Sensex and Nifty extended their previous-session declines. 

Sensex, Nifty Decline In Early Trade 

As of writing, the Sensex was down 0.2% while the Nifty declined 0.4%. Both benchmarks have diverged many a time ever since the introduction of the new close mechanism. 

Market breadth was relatively favourable despite the weakness in the benchmark indices. Around 1,756 shares advanced, compared with 1,209 declines, while 168 stocks remained unchanged on the exchanges. 

The Nifty had closed at 24,435.95 on Wednesday, while the Sensex ended the session at 77,966.35. 

Shriram Finance, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Lead Gainers 

On the Nifty, Shriram Finance, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, Eternal, Jio Financial Services, and Tech Mahindra were among the major gainers in early trade. 

Apollo Hospitals rose 0.5% after the healthcare major reported a 34% rise in quarterly profit, supported by strong demand for complex treatments and growth in its core healthcare services business. 

Tata Motors was also among the stocks in focus, rising 4.6%, after reporting higher first-quarter profit and maintaining a positive demand outlook, particularly for higher-payload trucks and electric vehicles. 

UltraTech Cement, Hindalco Industries Among Losers 

On the other hand, UltraTech Cement, Hindalco Industries, Grasim Industries, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, and Titan Company were among the major laggards on the Nifty. 

The weakness in heavyweight stocks added pressure to the benchmark index and contributed to the Nifty’s decline. 

Global Cues Remain Positive 

The decline in Indian equities came despite a broadly supportive global backdrop. Asian stocks rose in after U.S. inflation data eased concerns over the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate outlook. 

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 0.96%, while South Korea’s KOSPI jumped 4.56% and Japan’s Nikkei also advanced 1.76%. 

Wall Street had ended mostly higher on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 gaining 0.26% and the Nasdaq Composite rising 0.54%, supported by technology and artificial-intelligence stocks. 

The July U.S. inflation reading showed consumer prices rising 0.1% month-on-month, in line with expectations, reducing market expectations of a near-term rate hike by the Federal Reserve. 

Crude Prices, Middle East Risks Weigh 

Despite the positive global cues, Indian investors remained cautious amid geopolitical risks and uncertainty around U.S.-Iran talks. 

Crude oil prices fell more than 1% on Thursday as OPEC and the International Energy Agency lowered their estimates for global oil demand growth. A sharp rise in U.S. crude inventories also weighed on prices. 

However, the deadlock in U.S.-Iran negotiations and continuing risks to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb remain concerns for energy-importing economies such as India. 

Lower crude prices are positive for India as they can ease pressure on the import bill, inflation and corporate margins. However, any escalation in Middle East tensions could quickly reverse the decline in oil prices. 

Indian Inflation In Focus 

India’s retail inflation accelerated to 4.45% in July, according to data released after market hours on Wednesday. While the increase indicates some firming in price pressures, the reading is still unlikely to force the Reserve Bank of India to raise interest rates in the coming months. 

Investors will now track crude prices, foreign institutional flows, the rupee and global market cues for further direction. 

Overall, the Nifty’s move in early trade signals continued near-term caution. 

Source

•  NSE
• BSE