13 February 2026: Nifty Ends 1.3% Lower at 25,471 as Metals and Energy Drag; Bajaj Finance Leads Limited Recovery

Indian equity markets closed sharply lower on 13 February 2026, with the benchmark Nifty 50 settling at 25,471.10, down 336.10 points (-1.30%). The sell-off was broad-based, reflected in steep declines across the Nifty Next 50, Nifty Financial Services, and Nifty Bank indices. Persistent weakness in metal, energy, and select consumption stocks weighed heavily on sentiment, even as a few financial and auto names posted gains and offered limited support.

Also Read: 13 February 2026 (Mid-cap): Nifty Extends Losses to 1.1% at 25,515; Metals Slide Sharply, Financials Offer Limited Support

Market Snapshot: Broad-Based Selling Persists

• Nifty 50: 25,471.10, down 1.30%

• Day’s range: High 25,630.35 | Low 25,444.30

• Nifty Next 50: Down 1.56%, highlighting sharp pressure in broader large-caps

• Nifty Financial Services: Down 0.91%

• Nifty Bank: Down 0.91%

The index opened near the day’s high but steadily drifted lower as selling pressure intensified through the session.

Gainers: Financials and Select Defensives Buck the Trend

Amid the market-wide sell-off, a handful of stocks managed to post gains:

• Bajaj Finance surged 3.09%, emerging as the top gainer of the session

• Eicher Motors rose 1.56%, supporting the auto space

• SBI Life added 0.84%

• SBI gained 0.33%

• Cipla edged up 0.13%

Strong volumes in Bajaj Finance and SBI indicate selective buying in quality financials, even as overall risk appetite remained subdued.

Losers: Metals, Energy and Select Large-Caps Bear the Brunt

Selling pressure was most pronounced in metal and energy counters, along with a few heavyweight stocks:

• Hindalco plunged 6.08%, the steepest loser on the index

• Hindustan Unilever fell 4.34%

• Eternal dropped 4.30%

• Adani Enterprises declined 3.83%

• ONGC slipped 3.20%

The sharp fall in metals reflects continued concerns over global demand and commodity price trends, while weakness in energy and select consumption names added to the negative tone.

Sectoral Trend: Risk-Off Mood Dominates Close

The steep declines in the Nifty Next 50 and continued weakness in banking and financial indices underscore that the sell-off was broad-based rather than stock-specific. While a few defensives and financials attracted buying interest, the overall market remained firmly in a risk-off mode, with investors trimming exposure to cyclical and commodity-linked sectors.

Conclusion: 13 February 2026

With the Nifty 50 closing at 25,471.10, down 1.30%, markets ended the day on a decisively weak note. Heavy losses in metals, energy, and select large-cap stocks outweighed gains in a few financial and auto names. In the near term, sentiment is likely to remain cautious, with market participants watching for stabilisation in global cues and signs of exhaustion in broader market selling before any meaningful recovery can take shape.