The Indian equity market ended the final trading session of the week lower on August 14 after a volatile session. The BSE Sensex fell 70.71 points, or 0.09%, to close at 78,009.25, while the NSE Nifty 50 declined 29.85 points, or 0.12%, to end at 24,366.
Trading remained volatile throughout the session, with buying and selling activity continuing among investors. Selling pressure increased in the final hours, leaving both benchmark indices in negative territory. Auto, energy, metal, FMCG, pharma and realty stocks came under pressure, while buying in select stocks limited the decline in the broader market. Midcap and smallcap stocks also declined.
The market changed direction several times during the August 14 trading session. Investors remained cautious amid global cues and domestic factors. By the close, 1,855 shares advanced, while 2,244 shares declined. Around 174 shares closed unchanged.
Although the decline in the benchmark indices was limited, the number of declining stocks exceeded advancing stocks. Midcap and smallcap segments also witnessed profit-taking.
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) was the biggest decliner among Nifty 50 stocks, falling around 4.46%. Jio Financial Services, ONGC, Asian Paints and State Bank of India (SBI) also remained under pressure.
The decline in Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles shares added pressure on the auto sector. Selling in some major energy and financial stocks also weighed on the Nifty.
Among the top Nifty 50 decliners, Tata Motors PV (TMPV) fell 4.46%, Jio Financial declined 2.19%, ONGC fell 1.90%, Asian Paints declined 1.83%, and SBI fell 1.62%.
Despite the market decline, select large-cap stocks recorded buying. Apollo Hospitals was the biggest Nifty 50 gainer, rising 3.71%. Bharti Airtel gained 2.73%, Adani Enterprises rose 2.53%, Adani Ports advanced 2.41%, and Wipro gained 0.49%.
The gains in these select stocks limited the decline in the Sensex and Nifty.
Sectoral weakness was broad-based. Auto, energy, FMCG, metal, pharma and realty indices declined by around 0.3% to 1%.
In contrast, consumer durables and media performed better, with both indices closing around 1% higher.
