Indian Equities End Lower Amid Global Uncertainty

Indian equity markets closed lower on Thursday, March 13, 2025, as global trade tensions and recession fears in the U.S. overshadowed the impact of easing domestic inflation.

• Sensex: 73,828 (-0.33%)

• Nifty 50: 22,397 (+0.08%)

• Nifty Bank: 48,060 (Flat)

Despite a slight gain in Nifty 50, broader market sentiment remained bearish, with the Nifty Midcap index falling 0.75% and the Nifty Smallcap index dropping 0.98%.

Key Market Developments

• Retail Inflation Falls: India’s retail inflation eased to 3.61% in February, marking its lowest level since July 2024. This reinforced expectations of an RBI rate cut, benefiting financial stocks.

• Global Trade Tensions Escalate: U.S. President Donald Trump warned of new tariffs on Europe and Canada after their retaliatory measures, fueling global economic uncertainty.

• Market Volatility: The India VIX declined by 3%, signaling lower market volatility compared to the previous session.

Sectoral Performance

• Gainers: Nifty PSU Bank and Nifty Bank saw modest gains.

• Losers: Nifty Auto, Nifty Realty, and Nifty Media lagged behind.

📌 Top Gainers and Losers

Top Gainers

🔹 Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. (MRPL) 🛢️ — +6.25% to ₹119.10

🔹 Godfrey Phillips India Ltd. (GODFRYPHLP) 🚬 — +5.00% to ₹5,708.25

🔹 ITI Ltd. (ITI) 📡 — +5.00% to ₹253.36

Top Losers

🔻 PB Fintech Ltd. (POLICYBZR) 💳 — -5.90% to ₹1,322.80

🔻 KEC International Ltd. (KEC) ⚡ — -5.54% to ₹675.00

🔻 Bharat Forge Ltd. (BHARATFORG) 🏗️ — -4.71% to ₹1,038.80

Market Sentiment and Outlook

Market breadth remained weak, with 984 stocks advancing and 1,894 stocks declining, signaling a negative sentiment in the broader market. Investors remain cautious amid concerns over global trade policies and an upcoming U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting.

📌 Indian markets will be closed on Friday for a local holiday.

🌎 Global Economic Calendar

Key global economic events to watch next week:

• U.S. Federal Reserve Policy Meeting (March 19)

• Eurozone Inflation Data (March 20)

• Bank of Japan Interest Rate Decision (March 21)

For a more in-depth analysis, watch our latest market update on YouTube. Stay informed and plan your investments wisely.