Indian stock markets close slightly lower amid cooling wholesale inflation

Indian equity markets experienced a period of volatility and slight declines amid global uncertainties and shifting economic indicators. The BSE Sensex closed with a marginal decline, ending at 78,009.25, down approximately 70 points. Similarly, the Nifty 50 slipped by nearly 30 points to close at 24,366, though it managed a recovery from its intraday lows.

Market performance was influenced by mixed corporate earnings and geopolitical tensions. While consumer durables saw strong demand, sectors such as pharma, metals, and cement faced selling pressure. Notable losers included Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, State Bank of India, and Reliance Industries.

On the macroeconomic front, India's wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation for July 2026 was reported at 9.78% annually. This represents a slight decrease from the 9.87% recorded in June, marking the lowest level since April, primarily driven by a softening in fuel prices.