On August 12, 2025, the Indian stock market closed lower in a volatile session, with the Sensex and Nifty slipping nearly 0.5% due to selling pressure in banking and financial stocks. Investor caution ahead of domestic and US inflation data, combined with mixed global cues, weighed on sentiment. Below is a precise summary of the day’s market performance, key drivers, and sectoral trends.
Market Performance
BSE Sensex: Fell 368.49 points (0.46%) to close at 80,235.59, with an intraday high of 80,997.67 and a low of 80,164.36.
NSE Nifty 50: Dropped 97.65 points (0.40%) to settle at 24,487.40, trading between 24,702.60 and 24,487.40 intraday.
Market Breadth: On the BSE, ~1,900 stocks advanced, 2,100 declined, and 133 were unchanged out of ~4,133 traded stocks. About 160 stocks hit the upper circuit, and 170 hit the lower circuit.
Volatility: The India VIX rose 5.3% to ~12.87, reflecting increased uncertainty ahead of key inflation data.
Key Drivers
Global Market Cues: Mixed global markets, with Japan’s Nikkei up 2.15%, Hang Seng (+0.25%), and US markets closing lower (S&P 500 -0.24%, Nasdaq -0.32%), contributed to cautious sentiment. Investors awaited US-Russia talks (August 15) and US CPI data.
Earnings Season: Mixed Q1 FY26 earnings, with banking and financials underperforming, offset gains in auto and IT, driving selective selling.
FII and DII Activity: Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold ~₹1,202.65 crore, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought ~₹1,500 crore, cushioning the decline.
Rupee Movement: The Indian rupee remained steady at ~87.70 against the US dollar, supported by RBI interventions despite FII outflows.
Domestic Macros: Strong GST collections (₹2.01 lakh crore, May 2025) and an above-normal monsoon provided support, but focus remained on India’s July CPI data (1.55%, an 8-year low).
Sectoral Highlights
Sectoral Trends: Nifty Auto (+0.8%), IT (+0.6%), and Pharma (+0.5%) gained, while Nifty Bank (-0.84%), Financial Services (-1.02%), and FMCG (-0.5%) led losses. Nifty Midcap 100 fell 0.27%, and Smallcap 100 was flat.
Broader Market: Large-cap banking and financial stocks dragged the indices, while mid and small-caps showed mixed performance.
Market Sentiment: The market opened higher but reversed gains in the final hour, with GIFT Nifty futures at ~24,513 signaling a cautious outlook.
Corporate Developments
Hindustan Aeronautics: Q1 profit at ₹1,377.15 crore, down from ₹1,435.59 crore YoY, shares flat.
Suzlon Energy: Q1 profit rose to ₹324.32 crore from ₹300.82 crore YoY, shares up 2%.
Bata India: Q1 profit slumped 70.1% to ₹52 crore, impacting consumer sentiment.
Ashoka Buildcon: Q1 profit up 44.6% to ₹217.3 crore, boosting infra stocks.
Natco Pharma: Q1 profit down 28% to ₹480 crore, shares fell.
Market Outlook
Technical Levels: Nifty support at 24,400–24,350, resistance at 24,600–24,850. Sensex support at 80,000–79,800, resistance at 80,700–81,300. A break below 24,350 could target 24,200.
Volatility Expectations: VIX at ~12.87 suggests moderate volatility, with inflation data and US-Russia talks as key triggers.
Upcoming Triggers: India’s CPI data (released, 1.55%), US CPI data, Q1 FY26 earnings, and US-Russia talks (August 15) will guide sentiment. Monsoon progress and oil prices remain critical.
Conclusion
On August 12, 2025, the Indian stock market closed lower, with the Sensex at 80,235.59 (down 0.46%) and Nifty at 24,487.40 (down 0.40%), driven by selling in banking and financials amid caution over inflation data and US-Russia talks. Auto and IT sectors provided some support, but FII selling and a rising VIX signaled caution. Investors should monitor Nifty’s 24,400 support and focus on auto and IT while staying vigilant for US CPI and trade developments.
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