Stock Market Close Report, July 13, 2026: Sensex, Nifty Finish at The Flatline as IT Stocks Outshine

Mumbai, July 13: Indian benchmark indices ended little changed on Monday after a volatile trading session, with a sharp rally in information technology stocks offsetting weakness in metals, FMCG and infrastructure shares amid lingering concerns over elevated crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions. 

The BSE Sensex closed up 47.01 points, or 0.06 per cent, at 77,616.40, while the NSE Nifty50 gained 4.10 points, or 0.02 per cent, to settle at 24,211. Market breadth remained positive, with 2,207 stocks advancing against 2,006 declines, while 174 shares remained unchanged. 

Markets opened on a weak note following concerns over rising crude oil prices and fresh geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, but recovered through the day as heavyweight IT stocks staged a strong rally after encouraging quarterly earnings and upbeat management commentary from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). 

The rally in technology counters helped benchmark indices erase most of their intraday losses, even as investors remained cautious ahead of more June-quarter earnings and key global macroeconomic data. 

IT stocks lead the rebound 

The Sensex managed to peep above the red line in the second half of the trade. Source: BSE 

The Nifty IT index emerged as the standout performer, surging 3.6 percent, driven by strong buying in frontline software exporters. 
TCS was the top gainer on the Nifty, jumping 5.4 percent after its June-quarter results and optimistic outlook boosted investor sentiment. The gains spilled over to the broader IT pack, with HCLTech, Tech Mahindra and Infosys also ending among the top five gainers on the benchmark index. Bajaj Auto rounded off the list of top performers. 

Apart from earnings optimism, the sector also benefited from a relatively weaker rupee, which is generally positive for export-oriented IT companies.  

Moreover, the IT rally was driven by optimism after Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced a multi-million-dollar contract with ABB, while LTIMindtree unveiled a strategic partnership with Anthropic aimed at expanding enterprise adoption of Claude AI models. HCLTech climbed 4.9% ahead of its quarterly results, and LTIMindtree gained 2.2%. To be sure, TCS also jumped as a leadership overhaul and the creations of new units drove sentiment. 

Metals, FMCG under pressure

Losses were concentrated in commodity-linked and defensive sectors. 

The Nifty Metal index slipped 0.7 percent, with Tata Steel emerging as one of the biggest drags on the benchmark. Weakness in global metal prices and concerns over slowing industrial demand weighed on sentiment across the sector. 

The Nifty FMCG index fell 1 percent to become the day’s worst-performing sector, as investors booked profits in consumer names. Nestle India featured among the top losers on the Nifty. 

Infrastructure stocks also remained under pressure, with the Nifty Infra index declining 0.5 percent. 

Among individual laggards, Grasim Industries was the biggest loser on the Nifty, falling 2 percent.  

Tata Steel, Nestle India, InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) and Eternal also ended in the red. 

Broader markets  

Among sectoral indices, Nifty Media rose 2 percent to emerge as the second-best performer, while Nifty Consumer Durables gained 1 percent. Nifty Auto added 0.45 percent, supported by gains in Bajaj Auto, while the Nifty Private Bank index edged up 0.3 percent. 

The broader markets mirrored the benchmark indices, with both the Nifty Midcap and Nifty Smallcap indices ending largely flat, indicating a cautious approach among investors despite positive market breadth. 

Earnings, global cues in focus 

Investor sentiment remained balanced between optimism over the ongoing earnings season and concerns surrounding elevated oil prices and geopolitical developments. 

Nifty 50 ended flat as investors took heart from IT. Source: NSE 

Higher crude prices continue to be closely watched as they could stoke inflation, widen India’s import bill and delay expectations of monetary easing. At the same time, strong corporate earnings, particularly from the IT sector, provided support to domestic equities. 

Going ahead, market participants are expected to closely monitor the next leg of June-quarter earnings, movement in crude oil prices, foreign institutional investor flows and global macroeconomic developments for fresh direction. Stock-specific action is likely to remain pronounced as the earnings season gathers pace. 

Source

• NSE
• BSE