SENSEX drops over 4,300 pts, NIFTY50 lost 5.3% this week; L&T, M&M, Eicher Motors among top losers

The benchmark Indian stock market indices witnessed a week filled with high volatility, which led to the BSE SENSEX index losing 5.5% or 4,354.98 points, and the NIFTY50 index dropping by 5.3% or 1,299.35 points, as of the market close on Friday, March 13, 2026.

During the week, the benchmark indices were subject to high pressure from the stock market investors over the evolving geopolitical dynamics as tensions raged over the escalating conflict in West Asia between the United States and Iran. The heightened global cues weighed on the crude oil prices, the investors' sentiment, and even contributed to the FII outflows from the stock market.

The rising prices of crude oil, hitting a record high of $119.5 per barrel (bbl) this week, weighed on the blue-chip stocks as India remains an import-dependent country heavily relying on crude oil imports. This alters the market dynamics due to the increased cost of transporting crude amid the ongoing conflict.

The FII/FPI data as of March 12 showed that the foreign investors sold ₹7,059.44 crore of securities on Thursday. However, the latest data for the number of Friday, March 13, will be released later today.

This week, the retail inflation data for the Indian economy also revealed that the overall inflation rate rose to 3.21% in February 2026, compared to 2.74% in January 2026, fuelled by the rising food prices in the country.

Stock market today

The exchange data showed that the SENSEX closed 1.93% or 1,470.50 points lower at 74,563.92 points after Friday’s trading session, compared to 76,034.42 points at the previous market close, according to BSE data.

NIFTY50 closed 2.06% or 488.05 points lower at 23,151.10 points on Friday, compared to 23,639.15 points at the previous trading close, the NSE data showed.

Top 5 gainers & losers this week

NSE data showed that Coal India, Wipro, NTPC, Power Grid Corporation, and Sun Pharmaceuticals were among the top five gainers this week.

Coal India shares rose 6% this week, ending Friday, March 13. While others like Wipro shares were up 1.1%, NTPC up 1%, Power Grid Corp. up 0.6%, and Sun Pharm up 0.1%, despite an overall week of losses for the Indian stock market.

While companies like Larsen & Toubro, Mahindra & Mahindra, Eicher Motors, Ultratech Cement, and Maruti Suzuki India were the top five laggards on the benchmark indices for the week ended March 13, according to NSE data.

L&T shares lost 12.9%, Mahindra & Mahindra stock lost 12%, Eicher Motors was down 11.5%, Ultratech Cement lost 11.4%, and Maruti Suzuki shares were down 11.1% on a one-week basis, as of the stock market close on Friday.

Sectoral performance snapshot

On a sectoral basis, NIFTY AUTO lost the most, dropping 10.6% or 2,881.30 points this week, followed by the NIFTY BANK index, which crashed 7% or 4,025.40 points as of the stock market close on Friday.

The NIFTY INDIA DEFENCE index also lost 7% or 597.35 points, followed by the NIFTY METAL index, which dropped 5.9% or 707.95 points. The NIFTY FIN SERVICE index for the financial services sector stocks dropped 5.7% or 1,513.80 points as of the stock market session on March 13.

On the Mid-cap and Small-cap front, the NIFTY MIDCAP 100 index lost 4.59% or 2,513 points over the last five market sessions, while the NIFTY SMALLCAP 100 index dropped 3.66% or 581.76 points in one week.

Buzzing stocks this week

Stocks like Tata Motors CV, ACME Solar Holdings, Max Financial Services, HFCL, and Coal India were among the other top buzzing stocks this week, amid a downward trend in the Indian stock market.

Tata Motors CV share price lost 10% this week, despite announcing that the company has bagged a total order of more than 5,000 buses and bus chassis from multiple State-owned entities across the country.

ACME Solar shares gained nearly 12% this week, backed by several order book updates, power supply agreements, and the raging demand for energy in the Indian market amid the US-Iran conflict.

Max Financial stock lost 4.2% this week despite the company approving a ₹2,000 crore fundraiser via the Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) round in an effort to meet the funding requirements for one of its material subsidiary companies.

HFCL stock gained 3.82% in one week on the backdrop of the company entering a five-year $1.1 billion supply agreement with a customer for high-fibre count Optical Fibre Cables through its overseas subsidiaries.

Coal India shares delivered 5.91% returns on their investment over this week despite a stock market red zone, fuelled by the company’s preparedness for the national energy crisis with adequate reserves and a significant profit from its e-auctions, which gained the company a margin of 35% price increase in the bidding rounds.