Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Indian Stocks Fall Third Straight Session on Middle East Tensions
On Thursday, the Indian stock market had a tough day.
Its two main scoreboards, called Nifty and Sensex, fell a little.
This was the third day in a row they lost value.
One big reason is that talks to end a war in the Middle East have stalled, which keeps crude oil prices high.
Since India buys about 85% of its oil from other countries, expensive oil worries people.
Companies that make metal lost the most money, while makers of chemicals and household goods did better.
Some companies were happy because they reported better results than expected.
Astral and Solar Industries rose sharply, and Tata Motors also gained.
Stock markets go up and down every day as investors decide what they think a company is worth.
Nifty fell 0.34% to 24,353 and Sensex declined 0.13% to 77,861, extending the losing streak to a third straight session.
Sentiment remained subdued as Middle East talks stalled, keeping crude oil prices elevated and rekindling inflation concerns.
Metal, cement, financials, and auto were the top sectoral losers, while chemicals, FMCG, medical, and consumer durables ended in the green.
Metal stocks tumbled, with NALCO down 4.6% to ₹400, followed by SAIL, Hindalco Industries, and Vedanta dropping up to 3%.
Astral and Solar Industries jumped about 8.7% and 8.5% on strong Q1 performance, and Tata Motors gained 4% on higher-than-expected margins.
- Who
- Indian stock market investors and major listed companies such as NALCO, Hindalco, Tata Motors, Apar Industries, and Ather Energy, amid a U.S.-Iran dispute.
- What
- India's benchmark indices Nifty and Sensex fell for a third straight session, with metal and financial stocks leading losses while select stocks gained on strong Q1 results.
- When
- Thursday, 13 August.
- Where
- Indian stock market (Nifty and Sensex), with the geopolitical backdrop of the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- Stalled talks in the Middle East kept crude oil prices elevated, and weak participation from financial stocks dragged benchmark indices lower.
U.S. Position
Iranian Position
Control of the Strait of Hormuz
U.S. Position
President Donald Trump says the U.S. has "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Position
Iranian officials dispute Trump's repeated claims, and Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi says the U.S. "has long miscalculated due to intelligence failures."
- Nifty
- 24,353, down 0.34%
- Sensex
- 77,861, down 0.13%
- Losing streak
- Third consecutive session
- Top sectoral losers
- Metal, cement, financials, auto
- Top sectoral gainers
- Chemicals, FMCG, medical, consumer durables
- Biggest metal stock loser
- NALCO, down 4.6% to ₹400
- Top Q1-driven gainers
- Astral up 8.7%; Solar Industries up 8.5%
- Tata Motors
- Up 4% on higher-than-expected June quarter margins