Nifty Rises 132 Points, Closes Above 24,600; Nifty Pharma Extends 3-Day Winning Streak

Market Update at 4:15 PM: On Wednesday, August 13, Indian benchmark indices closed higher, supported by gains in Large-Cap heavyweights and positive global cues. At the close, the Nifty 50 gained 131.95 points or 0.54 per cent to settle at 24,619.35, while the BSE Sensex advanced 304.31 points or 0.38 per cent to 80,539.91. The rally followed softer US retail inflation data, which boosted expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut in September, alongside easing domestic price pressures.

On the sectoral front, 8 out of 11 key indices ended in the green. Nifty Pharma led with a 1.73 per cent gain, marking its third consecutive day of gains and closing above the 50-DEMA. Alkem Laboratories and Laurus Labs emerged as Top Gainers within the index. In contrast, Nifty PSU Bank dipped 0.14 per cent, dragged by Bank of Maharashtra.

In stock-specific action, NSDL fell 6.56 per cent after missing Q1 revenue estimates despite a profit increase. Paytm surged 3.13 per cent to a 52-week high after the RBI granted in-principle approval for a payment aggregator licence to its subsidiary. Apollo Hospitals rallied 7.9 per cent on strong Q1 FY26 results, while Hindalco rose 5.01 per cent as quarterly profit surged. Suzlon Energy dropped 4.36 per cent following Q1 results and the resignation of its CFO.

Among Nifty 50 movers, HDFC Bank contributed 17.74 points to the index’s rise, followed by Apollo Hospitals (+12.96 points) and Hindalco (+10.80 points). On the downside, ITC (-4.51 points), Axis Bank (-2.46 points) and ICICI Bank (-1.84 points) weighed on the benchmark.

The broader markets were also positive, with the Nifty Midcap 100 up 0.63 per cent and the Nifty Smallcap 100 gaining 0.66 per cent. Market breadth remained in favour of advances, with 1,685 stocks rising, 1,287 falling, and 89 unchanged on the NSE. Additionally, 51 stocks hit 52-week highs, 59 touched 52-week lows, while 99 were locked in upper circuits and 59 in lower circuits.

Market Update at 12:15 PM: Indian stock markets traded higher on Wednesday, supported by positive global sentiment ahead of the key meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin later this week.

As of 12 PM, the BSE Sensex was at 80,364.97, gaining 129.38 points or 0.16 per cent, while the NSE Nifty50 stood at 24,556.75, up 69.35 points or 0.28 per cent. Broader markets also moved higher, with the Nifty MidCap index rising 0.72 per cent and the Nifty SmallCap index advancing 0.48 per cent.

On the BSE, Tata Motors, Eternal (Zomato), Kotak Bank, Trent, BEL and Power Grid were among the top gainers, rising up to 1.8 per cent. In contrast, ITC, Adani Ports, ICICI Bank, Titan and HCL Tech were among the top laggards, declining up to 0.4 per cent.

Sectorally, gains were broad-based, led by Nifty Metal up 1.97 per cent, Nifty Healthcare up 1.4 per cent, and Nifty Auto up 1.09 per cent. However, Nifty FMCG and Nifty IT indices traded lower.

Market Update at 10:30 AM: Indian equity markets opened higher on Wednesday, tracking gains in Asian peers, after softer U.S. retail inflation data strengthened expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut in September. Easing domestic inflation also supported investor sentiment.

The Nifty 50 rose 0.31 per cent to 24,563.25 points, while the BSE Sensex gained 0.26 per cent to 80,427.58 as of 9:21 a.m. IST. All 16 major sectoral indices opened in the green. Broader markets outperformed, with the Smallcap and Midcap indices up about 0.5 per cent each, indicating strength in Small-Cap and Mid-Cap segments.

The in-line inflation print raised the probability of a September Fed rate cut to 94 per cent from 86 per cent a day earlier. Lower U.S. rates generally make emerging market equities more attractive as U.S. Treasury yields decline.

Among individual stocks, Apollo Hospitals climbed 5.4 per cent after reporting a rise in June quarter profit, supported by higher patient volumes in its Quarterly Results. Nykaa surged 3.7 per cent after posting an increase in profit, aided by strong demand for beauty products.

Pre-Market Update at 7:30 AM: On Wednesday, August 13, domestic markets are set for a buoyant start as easing inflation trends in both India and the US lift investor sentiment. The GIFT Nifty was trading near 24,617, up 114 points from the previous close at 7:12 AM, indicating a firm opening for the benchmark indices. India’s annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) eased sharply to 1.55 per cent in July 2025 from 2.1 per cent in June. The softening inflation signals a favourable environment for growth-supportive monetary policy, which could benefit sectors like large-cap financials, consumer durables, and mid-cap manufacturing companies.

In the US, the annual inflation rate held steady at 2.7 per cent in July, below the market forecast of 2.8 per cent. This stability, despite tariff pressures under President Donald Trump’s administration, fueled optimism for a potential Federal Reserve rate cut next month. On Tuesday, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at all-time highs, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 483.52 points (1.10 per cent) to close at 44,458.61. The S&P 500 rose 72.31 points (1.13 per cent) to 6,445.76, while the Nasdaq surged 296.50 points (1.39 per cent) to 21,681.90.

On August 12, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 3,398.80 crore for the second consecutive session, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) extended their buying streak to 27 days, purchasing shares worth Rs 3,507.93 crore. The Nifty 50 closed 0.4 per cent lower at 24,487.40, while the Bank Nifty dropped 0.84 per cent to 55,043.70. Realty and consumer durables declined, whereas pharma, metals, auto, and oil & gas saw gains.

Several large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap companies are set to announce their Q1 FY26 quarterly results today, including Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Max Healthcare Institute, Muthoot Finance, Samvardhana Motherson International, United Spirits, Vishal Mega Mart, Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore, IRCTC, Jubilant Foodworks, Anthem Biosciences, Godrej Industries, Endurance Technologies, ITI, AIA Engineering, and Deepak Nitrite. Stock-specific movements are expected based on earnings surprises, dividend declarations, or bonus and rights issue announcements.

The US dollar index stood at 98.02 after a 0.5 per cent drop on Tuesday, as rate-cut expectations and political uncertainty pressured the currency. Gold prices held firm, with spot gold up 0.08 per cent at USD 3,350.33/oz. Crude oil prices were steady, with WTI futures near USD 63 per barrel and Brent futures around USD 66 per barrel, as rising US inventories signalled waning summer demand.

For today, PNB Housing, PG Electroplast, Titagarh Rail System and RBL Bank remain on the F&O ban list.

Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.