Market Highlights: Sensex Tumbles over 800 Pts, Nifty Concludes Below 25,000

Amid mixed global signals, Indian markets opened on a quiet note on 12 June, with the Nifty hovering near 25,150.

The Sensex slipped by 55.75 points, or 0.07%, to 82,459.39, while the Nifty edged lower by 12.70 points, or 0.05%, to 25,128.70.

A total of 28.6 lakh shares, making up 5.3% equity in CE Info Systems, changed hands in a significant block deal on Wednesday. The shares were traded at ₹1,813.70 apiece. The buyers and sellers could not be immediately identified.

As many as 3.50 crore shares of Asian Paints, amounting to a 3.64% stake, changed hands at ₹2,201 per share in the block deal window. The total deal value stood at ₹7,703 crore. The buyers and sellers could not be immediately ascertained.

Paytm shares fell nearly 10% following reports that the Finance Ministry has sought a clarification from the company regarding the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR). The Finance Ministry has dismissed reports suggesting the possible reintroduction of a MDR--a fee merchants pay to banks or payment service providers for processing digital transactions made via debit/credit cards or UPI.

In an official statement, the ministry clarified that there are no such plans, countering recent media speculation that MDR charges could make a comeback. Brokerage firm UBS, in its note, stated that the delay or non-introduction of MDR is sentimentally negative for Paytm. The absence of these charges impacts the company’s potential revenue from digital payment transactions, weighing on investor sentiment

Sterlite Technologies shares surged around 14% after the firm, in partnership with Dilip Buildcon and through its demerged Global Services Business, inked a major agreement with BSNL for a ₹2,631.14 crore telecom project. The deal covers the design, construction, supply, and long-term upkeep of the middle-mile network under the BharatNet initiative, specifically for the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh telecom circles (Package 13). This marks a significant step forward in strengthening digital connectivity in the region.

Tanla Platforms has announced that its board will convene on June 16 to discuss the possibility of launching a share buyback programme. Investors will be watching closely, as such a move could signal the company's confidence in its valuation and offer an additional return to shareholders.

The recent flattish trend in the market is likely to continue in the near-term since there are no clear positive triggers that can push the market much higher. There are reports of a possible agreement between the US and China. But the Chinese haven’t officially confirmed anything. President Trump is talking about 55% tariff on China and 10% tariff on US President Trump’s credibility being what it is, it would be too early to discount this as positive for markets. Also President Trump has declared that he will be sending letters to trade partners in the next two weeks setting universal tariffs. Market participants will be waiting and watching for clarity on this. The tariff crisis is not yet over. 

The spike in Brent crude to $70 on heightened security risks in the Middle East is a negative for India. Sectors like paints, adhesives, tyres and aviation are likely to respond negatively to this while ONGC and Oil India can respond positively.

Hindustan Copper has announced a capital expenditure plan of Rs 2,000 crore over the next 5–6 years as part of its long-term growth strategy. The company aims to ramp up its mine capacity from the current 4.35 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 12.20 MTPA by FY31.

As part of its expansion drive, Hindustan Copper has boosted its exploration budget, resulting in the addition of 123-mn tonnes of copper ore reserves and resources in just the past two years. The company also plans to continue expanding its resource base and is actively participating in upcoming mineral auctions, both in India and abroad, to acquire promising copper deposits.

Brent crude prices surged past the $70-per-barrel mark, driven by mounting geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Hopes for a renewed nuclear deal between Iran and the US are dimming, and in a worrying development, AFP reported that Iran has threatened to target US military bases in the region if provoked.

Adding to the unease, the UK Navy issued a rare advisory, cautioning mariners about potential risks to shipping in the region as tensions rise.

The spike in oil prices spells trouble for oil-sensitive sectors back home. Companies like Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, and Indian Oil Corporation could face pressure, as higher crude prices typically squeeze their margins.

Benchmark indices slipped into the red within the first hour of trade on June 12, with the Nifty breaking below the 25,100-mark.

Barring media, pharma, and telecom, all other sectoral indices were trading in the negative territory. The top gainers on the Nifty included ONGC, Asian Paints, Sun Pharma, Bajaj Finserv, and Apollo Hospitals. On the flip side, major laggards included Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Tata Motors, Eicher Motors, and Tata Steel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s move to open the nuclear sector for private players have got private companies, including Reliance Industries, Adani Group, JSW Group and Hindalco Industries to place their bid to develop to Bharat small reactors (BSRs), the Mint reported. The companies have shown their interest to invest via a request to proposal (RFP) issued earlier by government-run Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). 

Billionaire Gautam Adani-led Adani Group is mulling to list its airports unit by 2027. The power-to-port conglomerate has planned to invest $100 billion, Bloomberg reported. The development comes around a time when the conglomerate is rapidly expanding its airport infrastructure business. 

Presently, Adani Group’s airport arm Adani Airport Holdings operates eight Indian airport.

Billionaire Gautam Adani-led Adani Group is likely to raise around Rs 2.5 trillion in the upcoming five years to meet its $100-billion capital expenditure plan and for repayment of debts, the Mint reported, citing sources. 

The power-to-port conglomerate reportedly invested Rs 1.26 trillion in the financial year 2025 and is eyeing to increase spending on capital in FY26.

Samsung assembled more smartphones in India than its rival Apple Inc in 2024. The South-Korean giant’s share of global final assembly volume of smartphones in India stood at 25% compared to 15% of its American counterpart in 2024, the Business Standard reported, citing a study by S&P Global.

Shares of India’s oil-producing companies such as HPCL, BPCL and IOCfell by up to 4% on June 12, following a sharp rise in global crude oil prices. Brent Crude crossed the $70 per barrel mark as geopolitical tensions escalated in the Middle East.

The decline came amid fading hopes of a US-Iran nuclear deal, with Iran reportedly threatening to target US military bases if provoked, according to AFP.

Sterlite Technologies Ltd. shares surged 15% on June 12, after its Global Services Business, in consortium with Dilip Buildcon Ltd., secured a ₹2,631.14-crore contract from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

The contract is for the implementation of the BharatNet middle-mile network in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, according to CNBCTV18.

Gold prices rose on June 12 as investors sought safe-haven assets amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and a weakening US dollar.

Expectations of a potential Federal Reserve rate cut, driven by softer US inflation data, also lifted sentiment. Spot gold gained 0.7% to $3,375.06, while US gold futures advanced 1.5% to $3,395, reported CNBCTV18.

After a rough start to 2025, Tata Group stocks have made a strong comeback over the past three months.

Sixteen group companies have delivered double-digit gains, with some rising as much as 49%. The comeback has been led largely by lesser-known midcap companies, rather than the usual blue-chip names like TCS or Tata Motors, reported ET.

Shares of GTL Infrastructure rallied sharply, surging 42% over the past two trading sessions. On Thursday, the stock jumped as much as 18.7% to ₹2.16 on the BSE, driven by strong investor interest despite the absence of any fresh corporate announcements or disclosures.

At 1 PM, the Sensex was down 327.94 points or 0.40% at 82,187.20, while the Nifty slipped 102.75 points or 0.41% to 25,038.65. Market breadth was weak with 1,433 shares advancing, 1,987 declining, and 117 remaining unchanged.

Sterlite Technologies, through its Global Services Business (now a demerged vertical), in consortium with Dilip Buildcon, has signed an agreement with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for a ₹2,631.14 crore telecom project.

The deal covers the design, supply, construction, installation, upgradation, operation, and maintenance of the middle-mile network under the BharatNet initiative for the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh telecom circles.

Happiest Minds Technologies appointed Anand Balakrishnan as its Chief Financial Officer, with effect from June 12. Balakrishnan was CEO of listed IT services company, Mindteck

Shares of BSE have fallen over 4% to touch its intraday low today, extending its loss for the second day. The stock has fallen over 8% in these two days.

BSE shares have been in a downside after the stock was added to stage 1 of the Additional Surveillance Measures framework. Hence, trading on the stock will now attract a 100% margin.

The headline 50-stock Nifty 50 index fell below the psychologically crucial 25,000-mark for the first time in a week as selling pressure intensified on the expiry day. Both the benchmark indices extended their losses as the market moved towards its day's end. The BSE Sensex was down over 800 points.

At 01:53 pm, both Nifty 50 and Sensex were trading over 1% lower at 24,883.25 points and 81,679.97 points, respectively.

India's fear gauge, the India VIX index has surged over 3% today, breaking its two-day losing streak. The impact of the same was evident on the D-Street as the headline indices slipped into negative territory after opening on a positive note.

All the sector indices were trading lower on the bourses today as the selling pressure intensified in the overall market.

Nifty Auto, Nifty Realty, and Nifty Consumer Durables were among the worst performing sectoral indices and were down 2% each. The broader market indices were also down, with Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices down nearly 2% each.

A London-bound Air India plane with 242 passengers onboard has crashed in Meghaninagar near Ahmedabad airport.

Airline stocks witnessed a sharp decline on June 12 after several reports said that an Air India plane crashed near the Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat. InterGlobe Aviation shares fell 3%, while SpiceJet shares were down 1.5%.

Shares of Adani Enterprises, whose arm operates Ahmedabad airport, also slipped.

At 02:49 pm only three stocks in the BSE Sensex index were in green, namely Bajaj Finance, Tech Mahindra and Asian Paints. Eight of the 30 stocks were down 2% or above

In Nifty 50, 14 stocks were down 2% or above. Tata Motors was down 3% and was the worst performer in the 50-stock index. On the other hand, Bajaj Finserv and Apollo Hospital were down 1% each.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation reported that Air India flight to London crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12. The Boeing 787 issued a MAYDAY call before losing contact.

Shares of airline companies, InterGlobe Aviation and SpiceJet witnessed intensified selling pressure on June 12 after reports of Air India’s London-bound plane crashing at Ahmedabad surfaced online.

Nearly all stocks from the Sensex30 pack were trading in red, excluding Asian Paints, Bajaj Finserv and Tech Mahindra. Tata Motors, Titan, Powergrid, Eternal (Zomato), L&T and Tata Steel were among the top laggards.

Markets witnessed a bloodbath on Thursday as escalating tensions in West Asia weighed down the overall investor sentiment. Adding to the woes, foreign investors sold shares worth Rs 446.31 after a continuous buying spree.

"The Nifty 50 index breached the crucial 25,000 mark for the first time since June 5, hitting an intraday low of 24,826, as escalating global tensions and uncertain macroeconomic cues weighed heavily on investor sentiment. The sharp decline was fueled by rising geopolitical risks in the Middle East, with reports suggesting Israel is preparing to target Iran’s nuclear facilities within days," said Vishnu Kant Upadhyay, AVP - research & advisory, Master Capital Services.

"On the domestic front, the weekly F&O expiry on June 12 intensified intraday volatility, as traders aggressively unwound positions amid the uncertain global backdrop," Kant said.