Indian equity markets closed flat on Thursday, August 14, 2025, after a highly volatile trading session, as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the much-anticipated U.S.-Russia summit. The benchmark indices—BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty—registered marginal gains, snapping a multi-week losing streak but reflecting underlying uncertainty in global risk sentiment.
Market Snapshot
- BSE Sensex: Closed up by 57.75 points (0.07%) at 80,597.66
- NSE Nifty: Gained 11.95 points (0.05%) to settle at 24,631.30
- Intraday Highs: Sensex touched 80,751.18; Nifty peaked at 24,678.45
- Volatility: Driven by weekly F&O expiry and geopolitical caution
The session saw sharp intraday swings, with gains in IT, banking, and consumer stocks offset by declines in metals, energy, and realty sectors.
Key Gainers and Losers
Top Gainers (Sensex):
- Eternal (Zomato): +1.9%
- Infosys: +1.6%
- Asian Paints: +1.2%
- HDFC Bank: +0.9%
- Titan: +0.6%
Top Losers:
- Tata Steel: −3.0%
- Tech Mahindra: −2.1%
- Adani Ports: −1.8%
- Bharat Electronics: −1.5%
- UltraTech Cement: −0.8%
Midcap and smallcap indices underperformed, with the Nifty Midcap 100 falling 0.31% and the SmallCap index down 0.38%.
Global Context: U.S.-Russia Talks in Focus
The upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for August 15 in Alaska, is being closely watched by global markets. The talks aim to address tensions over:
- Energy sanctions
- Security and trade disputes
- The Ukraine conflict
Analysts believe any easing of sanctions or geopolitical thaw could impact global oil prices, trade flows, and investor sentiment.
Domestic Factors Supporting Stability
1. S&P Rating Upgrade
India’s sovereign credit rating was upgraded to ‘BBB’ by S&P Global Ratings, citing:
- Robust economic growth
- Fiscal consolidation
- Improved monetary policy credibility
This upgrade, the first in 18 years, helped bolster market confidence despite global headwinds.
2. Wholesale Price Inflation
WPI fell to a two-year low of −0.58% in July, driven by deflation in food and fuel. This supports expectations of a rate cut by the RBI and eases inflationary concerns.
3. Institutional Flows
- FIIs: Net sellers of ₹3,644.43 crore on August 13
- DIIs: Net buyers of ₹5,623.79 crore, providing support to frontline stocks
Technical Outlook
Market experts suggest a consolidation phase is underway, with Nifty’s immediate support seen at 24,500, followed by 24,300. Resistance is pegged at 24,700–24,800.
Ajit Mishra of Religare Broking noted, “Markets have largely digested recent negatives and are awaiting a trigger for directional movement. Oversold positions in heavyweights could support a short-term bounce.”
Global Market Performance
- Asia: Mixed performance; Kospi ended higher, while Nikkei, SSE Composite, and Hang Seng declined
- Europe: Mostly higher on easing inflation data
- U.S.: Ended higher on August 13, supported by tech and energy stocks
Brent crude rose 0.53% to $65.92/barrel, adding pressure on India’s import bill.
Conclusion
The flat close in Indian markets reflects a delicate balance between domestic optimism and global caution. While the S&P rating upgrade and easing inflation offer tailwinds, investors remain focused on the outcome of the U.S.-Russia talks, which could reshape global energy dynamics and risk appetite.
With markets closed on August 15 for Independence Day, traders will reassess positions next week based on geopolitical developments and macro data releases.
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