The BSE Sensex ended at 81,757.73, losing 501.5 points or 0.61%. Meanwhile, the Nifty50 closed at 24,968.4, down by 143 points or 0.57%.
In a broader market trend, both the Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices fell by 0.7% and 0.82%, respectively.
Meanwhile, the India VIX, which measures market volatility, settled 1.33% higher at 11.39 points, indicating growing nervousness in the market.
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Impact on the stock market
Sectoral indices performance
The sectoral performance was largely negative, with most indices closing in the red. However, there were a few sectors that showed some positive movement.
- Nifty Private Bank: This sector was the biggest laggard, falling by 1.46%. Heavyweights like Axis Bank, Kotak Bank, and HDFC Bank all saw significant declines, contributing heavily to the overall market losses.
- Nifty Bank: The banking sector as a whole took a hit, with major banks like Axis Bank and Kotak Bank down over 1.5% each.
- Nifty Consumer Durables, Energy, Auto, FMCG, Realty, Oil & Gas, Pharma: All these sectors ended in the red, reflecting the broader weakness in the market.
- Nifty Metal, Media, IT: The Metal, Media, and IT sectors ended on a positive note, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the overall decline.
| Sector/Index | Performance |
| IT & BPM sector | 0.01% |
| Healthcare sector | -0.65% |
| Oil & Gas sector | -0.37% |
| Real estate sector | -0.12% |
| PSU Bank in India | -0.66% |
Top gainers today
| Company | Price (in ₹) | Change % |
| Wipro Share price | 266.95 | 2.44 |
| Bajaj Finance Share price | 942.00 | 2.03 |
| Tata Steel Share price | 162.37 | 1.54 |
| ONGC Share price | 246.31 | 1.00 |
| Nestle Share price | 2,472.20 | 0.94 |
Top losers today
| Company | Price (in ₹) | Change % |
| Axis Bank Share price | 1,099.30 | -5.22 |
| Shriram Finance Share price | 645.50 | -3.00 |
| Bharat Elec Share price | 394.75 | -2.34 |
| HDFC Life Share price | 739.50 | -1.64 |
| Bharti Airtel Share price | 1,901.00 | -1.50 |
Market aftermath: Impact on stocks
Waaree Energies, Premier Energies, and SW Solar: Impact of US tariffs
Indian solar module manufacturers saw a decline in their stock prices today after their US counterparts filed new petitions requesting tariffs on imports from India. The Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade (AASMT) has accused these companies of “dumping” their products below production cost to undercut American companies.
Waaree Energies, Premier Energies, and SW Solar saw their shares drop by up to 4%, as these new trade petitions could lead to anti-dumping duties and countervailing tariffs on their solar modules. The American companies involved, including First Solar and Qcells, have argued that these imports are unfairly subsidized by the Indian government. This could lead to increased costs for the Indian solar module manufacturers, ultimately impacting their profitability and market position.
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Clean Science & Tech: Falling stock on Q1 miss and stake sale concerns
Shares of Clean Science and Technology plummeted 8% today after the company reported modest growth for the June quarter. The company’s revenue rose by 8% year-on-year to ₹240 crore, while EBITDA grew by 5% to ₹100 crore. However, this growth was below market expectations, leading to a sharp sell-off in the stock.
Clean Science also disclosed plans for a potential promoter stake sale, which added to investor concerns about the company’s future direction. The news of a possible stake sale, combined with disappointing financial results, contributed to the negative market reaction. As a result, Clean Science shares fell to ₹1,330, down 8% from the previous day.
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Route Mobile: Weak earnings lead to a 4% plunge
Route Mobile shares were down 4% today after the company reported disappointing results for Q1 FY26. The company’s net profit for the quarter ended June 2025 dropped by 32.23% year-on-year to ₹53.21 crore. The revenue also declined by 10.6% sequentially and 4.8% year-on-year to ₹1,050.8 crore. The slowdown in international business and the discontinuation of low-margin customer contracts were key reasons behind the dip in earnings.
Route Mobile has struggled with consistent growth this year, and today’s results reflect the ongoing challenges in its international business. The company’s stock has now fallen by 30% since the beginning of the year, showing the impact of weaker-than-expected performance in its business segments.
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Crude oil prices rise after drone attacks on Iraqi oilfields
On the commodities front, crude oil prices rose due to supply concerns following drone attacks on oil fields in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. These attacks caused a reduction in oil output by 140,000 to 150,000 barrels per day, which is more than half of the region’s normal output.
As of 9:57 AM, Brent crude futures were up 0.45% at $69.83 per barrel, while WTI crude futures rose by 0.43% to $67.83 per barrel. The rise in oil prices was also supported by stronger-than-expected US economic data, including robust retail sales and lower jobless claims. However, these higher oil prices are a concern for the Indian economy, as they could lead to inflationary pressures and higher costs for consumers, particularly in a market already grappling with global uncertainties.
Conclusion
The Indian stock market faced a rough day on July 18, 2025, with significant declines in benchmark indices and key sectors. The drop was primarily driven by weak earnings from large-cap banks and IT firms, coupled with concerns over global uncertainties and rising oil prices.
The market was further impacted by sector-specific concerns, such as the potential tariffs on Indian solar module manufacturers and the disappointing performance of companies like Clean Science and Route Mobile. Crude oil prices also rose, further adding to investor concerns about inflationary pressures.
As we move forward, market participants will need to stay alert to developments surrounding global economic conditions, crude oil price movements, and any further regulatory changes affecting key sectors like solar energy and technology. Investors should exercise caution in the near term and monitor these factors closely for any signs of a potential market rebound or further corrections.
For more stock market insights, check out the StockGro blog.
