India’s stock markets closed lower on Friday, November 13, 2026, as the Sensex fell 318.56 points and the Nifty declined 155.05 points. Rising crude oil prices, higher retail inflation and weak global cues weighed on investor sentiment, while the rupee also weakened against the US dollar.
Indian equity markets opened on a weak note on Friday, with investors remaining cautious and selling emerging in several major stocks. Although the markets recovered some losses during the trading session, both benchmark indices eventually closed in negative territory.
The BSE Sensex declined 318.56 points, or 0.39%, to close at 81,592.45. The National Stock Exchange's Nifty 50 fell 155.05 points, or 0.61%, to settle at 25,144.30.
Market breadth remained negative, with declining stocks outnumbering advancing shares. A total of 1,763 stocks advanced, while 2,328 declined and 167 remained unchanged. The selling pressure extended beyond large-cap companies, affecting small- and mid-cap stocks as well.
Shriram Finance, Grasim Industries, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, Hindalco Industries and Adani Enterprises were among the major Nifty losers on Friday. Selling pressure in financial and metal stocks contributed to the decline in the benchmark index.
However, several stocks managed to close higher despite the broader market weakness. Bharti Airtel, Eicher Motors, ONGC, Nestle India and Asian Paints were among the leading gainers.
At the sectoral level, all major sectoral indices except FMCG ended in negative territory. The auto, realty and metal indices each declined by around 1%. The Nifty Midcap and Smallcap indices also closed approximately 0.2% lower.
Rising crude oil prices were among the key factors behind Friday's market decline. International Brent crude prices climbed to around $95.5 per barrel, compared with approximately $92 per barrel around the time Indian markets closed on Thursday.
The sudden increase in oil prices was attributed to escalating tensions in West Asia. Attacks on Saudi Arabia's energy facilities and disruptions to shipping movements through the Strait of Hormuz heightened concerns over global oil supplies.
India imports a substantial portion of its crude oil requirements. Higher international oil prices can therefore increase the country's import bill and put pressure on domestic fuel and transportation costs. These factors can influence investor sentiment and weigh on Indian equities.
Rising domestic retail inflation also contributed to investor concerns. India's retail inflation rate increased to 6.09% in October 2026, compared with 5.54% in September.
The October figure exceeded the Reserve Bank of India's upper tolerance limit of 6%. The increase has intensified discussions over the possibility of an interest rate hike by the RBI in December.
An increase in the repo rate could affect banks' funding costs and lending rates, potentially making borrowing more expensive for companies. However, the RBI has not yet taken any decision on raising interest rates in December.
The Indian rupee also weakened against the US dollar on Friday. It declined 21 paise to close at 94.24 per dollar, compared with its previous closing level of 94.03.
Higher crude oil prices and rising US bond yields were among the factors putting pressure on the domestic currency. A weaker rupee can increase the cost of importing goods, particularly commodities such as crude oil, as more rupees are required to purchase them.
Foreign investors have recorded healthy buying in Indian equities during November. However, concerns over inflation and global economic conditions outweighed that support during Friday's trading session.
