Stock Market Close Report Today, August 13, 2026: Markets End Mixed As Nifty Finishes Lower For Third Day While Sensex Edges Higher

Mumbai, August 13: Indian benchmark indices ended mixed on Thursday, with the Nifty extending its losing streak to three sessions, while the Sensex closed higher amid a volatile trading session. Weakness in metals and private banks kept the Nifty in the red while mid- and small-cap stocks ended higher. 

The Sensex rose 113.61 points, or 0.15%, to 78,079.96, while the Nifty fell 40.10 points, or 0.16%, to 24,395.85. Both benchmarks have diverged many a time ever since the new close mechanism came into being. Market breadth remained almost evenly balanced, with 2,088 shares advancing, 2,052 declining and 174 unchanged. 

Tata Consumer, Tata Motors Lead Gainers 

Among Nifty 50 stocks, Tata Consumer Products, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, Hindustan Unilever, NTPC and Shriram Finance were among the top gainers. 

Tata Motors was a standout performer, with shares jumping 3.9% after the automaker reported higher quarterly profit and forecast firm demand. The company expects higher-payload trucks, electric vehicles and a strong government order book to support growth in the coming quarters.  

The recovery in Tata stocks also helped ease some of the pressure seen in the previous session following Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran’s decision not to seek reappointment. Tata Group shares steadied on Thursday after Wednesday’s sell-off.  

Hindalco, ICICI Bank Drag 

On the losing side, Hindalco Industries, ICICI Bank, UltraTech Cement, Grasim Industries and Power Grid Corporation were among the major laggards. 

The Nifty Metal index declined 1%, while the Private Bank index fell 0.5%, weighing on the benchmark. Weakness in heavyweight financial and commodity-linked stocks offset gains elsewhere in the market. 

Realty, Consumer Durables Outperform 

Sectoral performance remained mixed. The Nifty Realty index gained 1%, emerging as the best-performing major sectoral index, while Consumer Durables rose 0.45%. 

The broader market remained resilient, with both the Nifty Midcap and Smallcap indices ending with gains of 0.15% and 0.3%, respectively. 

IT stocks were up 0.4%. Financial stocks came under pressure, with Nifty Financial Services and Nifty Bank each declining 0.4%, as investors worried that the RBI’s proposed loan-pricing norms could squeeze banks’ lending margins. 

Middle East Tensions Keep Investors Cautious 

The domestic market remained caught between supportive global rate cues and persistent geopolitical concerns. U.S. inflation data reduced expectations of an immediate Federal Reserve rate hike, while global equities benefited from the prospect of a less hawkish U.S. monetary policy. 

However, stalled U.S.-Iran peace efforts kept investors wary. There had been no progress in talks to revive an interim agreement.  

At the same time, crude prices came under some pressure from weaker global demand forecasts and a sharp rise in U.S. inventories. This provided some relief to India, one of the world’s largest crude importers. 

Reliance Declines After MSCI Weight Cut 

Reliance Industries declined 0.9% after MSCI reduced the company’s weight in its key index, putting pressure on the heavyweight stock and limiting gains in the broader market.  

India’s retail inflation also emerged as a domestic factor after data released on Wednesday showed consumer prices accelerated to 4.45% in July. While the reading remained within the Reserve Bank of India’s tolerance band, investors continued to assess its implications for monetary policy.  

Nifty Extends Losing Streak 

The Nifty’s 0.16% decline marked its third straight session of losses, although the Sensex managed to close higher. The benchmark index remains below the 24,400 level, keeping near-term sentiment cautious. 

Going ahead, investors will track crude oil prices, foreign institutional flows, the rupee, developments in the Middle East and global interest-rate expectations. While easing U.S. rate-hike expectations and resilient broader markets offer some support, persistent geopolitical risks and elevated oil prices could continue to limit the upside in Indian equities.  

Source

• NSE/BSE