October 13, 2025 : Indian stock markets opened lower on Monday, tracking weak cues from global equities as investors turned cautious amid concerns over rising U.S. bond yields, geopolitical tensions, and mixed corporate earnings reports. Both benchmark indices — the BSE Sensex and the NSE Nifty50 — slipped in early trade, reflecting a risk-off sentiment across major Asian and European markets.
At 9:45 a.m., the Sensex was down 312 points at 81,426, while the Nifty50 fell 95 points to trade near 24,728. The broader market also showed signs of pressure, with mid-cap and small-cap indices registering mild losses. Market breadth was negative, as more stocks declined than advanced on both exchanges.
Weak global cues dominated investor sentiment as U.S. and European markets closed lower on Friday due to concerns over prolonged high interest rates. Asian peers such as Japan’s Nikkei, South Korea’s Kospi, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng also opened in the red, adding to the nervousness among domestic investors.
Among the key laggards, IT, metal, and banking stocks witnessed selling pressure, while pharma and FMCG managed to stay slightly in the green. Heavyweights such as HDFC Bank, Infosys, Reliance Industries, and Tata Steel were among the top contributors to the Sensex’s fall. Analysts noted that foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have been net sellers over the past week, putting further pressure on Indian equities.
“The markets are mirroring global trends today. Investors are adopting a wait-and-watch approach ahead of key inflation and earnings data due this week,” said Anand Deshpande, Head of Research at Axis Broking. “We may continue to see some consolidation in the near term as global uncertainties persist.”
Crude oil prices also added to the cautious tone, inching higher in early Asian trade due to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Brent crude hovered around $88 per barrel, raising concerns about inflationary pressures that could prompt central banks to remain hawkish.
On the currency front, the Indian rupee opened weaker at ₹88.82 per U.S. dollar, following the trend in global markets where most emerging-market currencies slipped against the strengthening greenback. Bond yields also remained elevated, reflecting cautious investor sentiment.
Despite the weak start, analysts remain optimistic about the medium-term outlook for Indian markets, citing strong domestic growth fundamentals, steady corporate earnings, and continued government spending on infrastructure and manufacturing. “Short-term volatility should not worry long-term investors. India remains well-positioned to outperform other emerging markets,” said Meera Joshi, an equity strategist at Motilal Securities.
Sectorally, the Nifty IT index fell over 0.7% as tech majors like TCS and Wipro traded lower following weak global demand cues. The Bank Nifty also dropped nearly 0.5%, dragged down by HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, and ICICI Bank. On the other hand, pharmaceutical stocks such as Sun Pharma and Cipla gained slightly, supported by safe-haven buying.
Experts advise traders to exercise caution this week, keeping an eye on global economic data releases, the U.S. Federal Reserve’s commentary, and domestic inflation figures. Any signs of moderation in global inflation or interest rate outlook could stabilize sentiment and bring buyers back into the market.
In conclusion, Indian markets began the week on a subdued note, aligning with the global downtrend. Investors are likely to remain cautious in the short term, waiting for clarity on macroeconomic indicators and corporate earnings. While today’s decline reflects short-term jitters, analysts continue to view India’s long-term equity story as resilient and attractive to both domestic and foreign investors.
Summary
Indian stock markets opened lower, mirroring global weakness as Sensex and Nifty declined amid cautious sentiment, foreign fund outflows, and rising U.S. yields impacting investor confidence.