The Indian equity benchmarks ended on a mixed note on Thursday, August 13, with the SENSEX snapping its two-day losing streak to close 114 points higher at 78,080, while the NIFTY50 fell 40 points to close at 24,396, marking its third consecutive session of decline. According to The Economic Times, the market weakness was primarily driven by losses in major stocks including Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank, Infosys, HDFC Bank, Titan, Ultratech Cement and Kotak Mahindra Bank. The volatility was attributed to heightened volatility owing to weekly expiry of SENSEX futures and options expiry. For most part of the day, benchmarks traded lower owing to weakness in index heavyweights, with the market sentiment remaining sombre as crude oil hovered around $90 per barrel amid confusion over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. However, broader markets closed in the green, with Nifty Smallcap 100 and Nifty Midcap 100 indices rising up to 0.3%, indicating selective stock movement rather than broad-based selling.
Lenskart shares climbed as much as 6.95% to hit a record high of ₹627.35 after its net profit in the June quarter surged by 269% to ₹222 crore from ₹60 crore in the same period last year. The technology eyewear firm's revenue from core operations advanced 43% YoY to ₹2,714 crore in the April-June quarter, compared with ₹1,894 crore in the first quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year. Additionally, Astral shares closed 9% higher at ₹1,592 after its revenue from operations rose 16% to ₹1,578 crore in the first quarter of the current financial year from ₹1,361 crore in the same period last year. Its EBITDA jumped 26% annually to ₹2,440 crore. Among other gainers, Tata Consumer Products, Tata Motors PV, Hindustan Unilever, NTPC, Shriram Finance, Bharat Electronics, Eternal, Larsen & Toubro and TCS were top gainers in the NIFTY50 index. Solar Industries, Gujarat Fluorochemicals, Radico Khaitan, HFCL, Paytm, Ajanta Pharma and Lenskart Solutions were among the stocks that hit their 52-week highs on NSE, while Godrej Consumer Products hit its 52-week low.
The market breadth remained neutral with 1,688 shares ending lower while 1,698 closed higher on the NSE, indicating selective stock movement rather than broad-based selling. According to The Economic Times, nine of 15 major sector gauges compiled by the National Stock Exchange ended lower, led by the NIFTY Metal index's 1% fall. Other declining sectors included NIFTY Financial Services, Bank, Financial Services 15/50, Pharma, PSU Bank, Private Bank, Healthcare and Oil & Gas indices, which fell between 0.3% and 0.5%. However, FMCG, IT, media, realty, consumer durables and auto shares witnessed buying interest, with the sectoral performance showing resilience despite the overall market decline. Astral Poly Tech, Solar Industries, Netweb Technologies, Sarda Energy, Godawari Power, Bharti Hexacom and Cyient were among the stocks that witnessed strong buying interest from market participants. Vodafone Idea, Jio Financial Services, IFCI, Yes Bank, Urban Company, Lenskart Solutions and Ola Electric were among the most actively traded stocks in volume terms on NSE.
Realty stocks emerged as the standout performers for the third consecutive session, with the sector showing resilience amid broader market weakness. According to Moneycontrol, realty stocks continued to shine for another day, with the sector outperforming other segments in the current market environment. This sustained performance in the real estate sector suggests selective investor interest and potential sector-specific opportunities that are attracting capital despite the overall market decline.
The Nifty witnessed another lackluster session, remaining confined between the 50EMA and 200DMA on the 30-minute chart, according to LKP Securities. Level-wise, 24,450 will remain an immediate resistance, and a decisive move above this level is required for a meaningful recovery, while support is placed at 24,300. A fall below 24,300 might trigger further weakness in the market. Until there is a decisive breakout on either side, the index is likely to remain rangebound, offering limited trading opportunities. Softer-than-feared inflation readings in both the US and India provided support to investor sentiment, reinforcing expectations that the Fed and the RBI can maintain a patient policy stance in the near term, as noted by Geojit Investments. However, elevated crude oil prices remain a key overhang, with geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East preventing a stronger risk-on move. The ongoing earnings season has broadly reinforced confidence in India's underlying demand environment and corporate resilience, helping cushion the impact of external headwinds.
