How Did the Indian Stock Market Fare Ahead of the US-Russia Summit?
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Synopsis
As investors remain cautious in anticipation of a crucial summit between US President Trump and Russian President Putin, the Indian stock market has settled flat. With sector performances mixed and geopolitical tensions looming, what does this mean for the market's future? Dive into the details of today's trading session and expert insights.
Key Takeaways
- Sensex closed at 80,597.66.
- Nifty ended at 24,631.30.
- Investor sentiment is cautious due to the upcoming US-Russia summit.
- Sectors like IT and pharma performed well.
- The rupee closed at 87.54.
Mumbai, Aug 14 (NationPress) The Indian stock market closed on a flat note on Thursday as investor sentiment remained cautious leading up to the pivotal discussions between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, set for August 15.
The Sensex finished at 80,597.66, gaining 57 points or 0.07 percent. The 30-share index opened at 80,625.28, slightly above the previous session's close of 80,539.91, maintaining the momentum from the last trading day. Throughout the session, the index oscillated within a range, peaking at 80,751.18 and dipping to 80,489.86.
The Nifty concluded the day at 24,631.30, an increase of 11.95 points or 0.05 percent.
“Following a volatile expiration day, Indian equities ended flat as investors approached the US-Russia summit with caution. IT and pharmaceutical stocks rose, buoyed by softer US inflation figures and a dovish outlook. Banking and consumer durables also saw gains fueled by expectations of a consumption-driven recovery,” noted Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments Limited.
Conversely, metals and energy sectors faced downward pressure due to declining commodity prices and concerns over oversupply. The recent upgrade of India’s credit rating by S&P, along with a stable outlook citing strong policy continuity and infrastructure-led growth, is expected to bolster the domestic market. In the short term, the market is anticipated to trade within a tight range while keeping an eye on upcoming geopolitical developments, added Nair.
Top gainers from the Sensex included Eternal, Infosys, Asian Paints, HDFC Bank, Bajaj FinServ, Titan, and Maruti Suzuki. Meanwhile, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, BEL, Ultratech Cement, Hindustan Unilever, and HCL Tech were among the biggest losers.
The sectoral indices exhibited a mixed performance, with some closing in the green while others ended in negative territory. The Nifty Financial Services rose by 95 points, Nifty Bank increased by 160 points, and Nifty IT gained 140 points, while Nifty FMCG fell by 353 points and Nifty Auto closed in the red.
The broader indices mirrored this trend. The Nifty Next 50 settled 110 points or 0.17 percent lower, the Nifty 100 remained flat, the Nifty Midcap 100 dropped by 177 points or 0.31 percent, and the Nifty Small Cap 100 closed 66 points or 0.38 percent down.
The rupee closed at 87.54, down 0.10 paise or 0.10 percent, as it tracked range-bound movements in the dollar index at 97.83.
“Markets are on alert ahead of tomorrow’s significant meeting between US President Trump and Russian President Putin, which may discuss potential peace negotiations regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The rupee is projected to trade between 87.25 and 88.00,” stated Jateen Trivedi from LKP Securities.
Point of View
It's crucial to recognize that while the Indian stock market displayed resilience amid geopolitical uncertainties, investor caution remains paramount. The government’s focus on maintaining strong policy continuity and infrastructure growth is vital for sustaining market confidence. As we navigate through these complex geopolitical dynamics, our commitment to informed reporting remains unwavering.
NationPress
19/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Indian stock market to settle flat?
Investor caution ahead of the US-Russia summit contributed to the flat closing of the Indian stock market.
Which sectors performed well during the trading session?
IT and pharmaceutical stocks advanced due to softer US inflation data, while banking and consumer durables also saw gains.
What was the performance of the rupee today?
The rupee ended at 87.54, down 0.10 paise, as it tracked range-bound movements in the dollar index.
