Indian equity benchmarks ended the week with sharp losses, as sustained selling pressure and weak global cues weighed on market sentiment. Investor confidence remained fragile amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and concerns over the global growth outlook. On the domestic front, retail inflation edged higher in February, driven largely by a rise in food prices, adding to the cautious undertone in the market. However, India’s foreign exchange reserves rose to a record high, providing some macroeconomic comfort. Despite a brief relief rally during the week, the broader market trend remained weak, with volatility persisting and heavy selling pressure intensifying in the final trading session.
In the week ended on Friday, 13 March 2026, the S&P BSE Sensex tanked 4,354.98 points or 5.52% to settle at 74,563.92. The Nifty 50 index slides 1,299.35 points or 5.31% to settle at 23,151.10. The BSE 150 Mid-Cap index tumbled 4.29% to close at 14,843.66. The BSE 250 Small-Cap fell 3.75% to end at 5,875.64.
Weekly Index Movement:
The key equity benchmarks ended sharply lower on Monday. The S&P BSE Sensex tanked 1,352.72 points or 1.71% to 77,566.16. The Nifty 50 index dropped 422.40 points or 1.73% to 24,028.05.
Domestic equity benchmarks staged a relief rally on Tuesday. The S&P BSE Sensex advanced 639.82 points or 0.82% to 78,205.98. The Nifty 50 index rallied 233.55 points or 0.97% to 24,261.60.
The key equity benchmarks ended with sharp losses on Wednesday. The S&P BSE Sensex tumbled 1,342.27 points or 1.72% to 76,863.71. The Nifty 50 index slumped 394.75 points or 1.63% to 23,866.85.
The key equity barometers ended sharply lower on Thursday. The S&P BSE Sensex tumbled 829.29 points or 1.08% to 76,034.42. The Nifty 50 index slumped 227.70 points or 0.95% to 23,639.15.
The domestic equity indices ended with major cuts on Friday. The S&P BSE Sensex slumped 1,470.50 points or 1.93% to 74,563.92. The Nifty 50 index plummeted 488.05 points or 2.06% to 23,151.10.
Economy:
India's retail inflation rose to 3.21% YoY in February from a revised 2.74% in January, driven by higher food prices, government data showed on Thursday.
Food inflation stood at 3.47% YoY in February compared with 2.13% in the previous month.
West Asia Conflict:
Iran vowed on Friday to inflict what its foreign ministry spokesperson described as an "unforgettable lesson" on its adversaries, the United States and Israel, as the Middle East conflict approached the two-week mark.
Intense strikes were reported in Tehran and surrounding areas, while Iran continued attacks targeting neighbouring Arab Gulf states, pushing global oil prices back above the $100-per-barrel mark.
The conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran is set to enter its third week with no signs of de-escalation, as missile strikes, drone attacks and air raids continue across the Middle East.
Stocks in Spotlight:
Happiest Minds Technologies climbed 16.91%. The company raised its FY27 growth projection to 12.5%, up from an earlier estimate of 10%, supported by its artificial intelligence (AI)–led initiatives and robust demand across sectors.
PG Electroplast tumbled 17.36%. The company announced that the allocation of LPG quantities by its supplier has been constrained with effect from 9 March 2026, due to the ongoing war in the Middle East region.
Meesho dropped 13.1%. The company received an income tax demand notice amounting to Rs 1,500 crore from the Income Tax Department for the assessment year 2023-2024.
Kwality Walls (India) declined 5.51%. The company’s standalone net loss widened to Rs 178.38 crore in Q3 FY26 compared with a net loss of Rs 100.16 crore in Q2 FY26. Revenue from operations fell 30.23% YoY to Rs 222.34 crore in Q3 FY26.
SML Mahindra tumbled 12.19%. The company has reported commercial vehicle production of 1,679 units in February 2026, up around 16% year-on-year from 1,442 units produced in February 2025.
JSW Steel slipped 9.34%. The company reported consolidated crude steel production of 23.66 lakh tonnes in February 2026, down 2% YoY.
TVS Supply Chain Solutions declined 7.21%. The company announced setting up a 40,000 sq. ft. warehousing facility at the Free Trade and Warehousing Zone (FTWZ) in Mannur Village, about 30 km from Chennai.
Precision Wires India dropped 15.22%. The company announced that it is rerouting shipments and putting in place alternate logistics arrangements amid intensifying conflict in the Middle East.
Aarti Industries rose 0.43%. The company signed a multi-year supply agreement with a global agrochemical company for a key crop-protection intermediate, with the contract running until March 2030 and expected to generate about $150 million in revenue.
Enviro Infra Engineers rallied 7.8%. The company has secured a new project from Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation for the development of a sewerage network and sewage treatment plant (STP) at Aurangabad. The project is valued at Rs 411.08 crore. The EPC work is scheduled to be completed within 15 months from the date of commencement, followed by an operation and maintenance (O&M) period of 5 years.
VA Tech Wabag rose 0.29%. The company said that it has secured a 'mega' public-private partnership (PPP) contract from the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) for a 45 MLD TTRO Plant in Chennai.
ACME Solar Holdings jumped 12.01%. The company announced, through its subsidiary ACME Greentech Seventh, it has signed two power purchase agreements (PPAs) with SJVN for a total capacity of 450 MW/1,800 MWh.
Balaji Amines slipped 4.08%. The company announced that the supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), a key input used for the production of ammonia, has been adversely affected due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
As a result, the company is currently experiencing significant logistics disruptions in the procurement of ammonia, which is one of the key raw materials used in the manufacture of methylamines, ethylamines, and their derivatives. The situation has arisen due to the non-availability of ammonia. Owing to this, some of the company’s plants are presently non-operational.
Global Markets:
German inflation eased slightly to 2.0% in February, the Federal Statistical Office of Germany said on Wednesday, confirming preliminary estimates. Inflation, measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) to allow comparison with other European Union countries, had stood at 2.1% year-on-year in January.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nonfarm payrolls fell by 92,000 in February, sharply reversing the downwardly revised gain of 126,000 in January and missing expectations. The unemployment rate also edged up to 4.4% from 4.3%.