Stock market today: Gift Nifty hints a gap-down start; eight day trading stocks to buy on Tuesday, 14 July

Stock market news: Indian benchmark indices are likely to open on a subdued note on Tuesday, with the Sensex and Nifty 50 expected to track weak global cues. Investor sentiment remains under pressure as the escalating US-Iran conflict has pushed crude oil prices higher, raising concerns over inflation and the potential impact on corporate earnings.

Across Asia, markets traded mixed, while Wall Street ended lower overnight, led by a sell-off in semiconductor stocks that weighed on broader market sentiment.

On Monday, domestic equities experienced a volatile trading session but ended marginally higher despite concerns over elevated crude oil prices. The BSE Sensex gained 47.01 points, or 0.06%, to settle at 77,616.40, while the NSE Nifty 50 edged up 4.10 points, or 0.02%, to close at 24,211.00.

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East intensified after US President Donald Trump formally notified lawmakers that the United States is once again engaged in military action against Iran, allowing the administration to continue operations for up to 60 days without congressional approval. Meanwhile, the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia's Abha Airport, raising concerns over a broader regional conflict.

India's retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), accelerated to 4.38% in June from 3.93% in May, driven primarily by higher food prices. The reading also came in above the 4.2% median estimate of economists surveyed by Mint.

Meanwhile, India's merchandise trade deficit widened to a five-month high of $30.43 billion in June, compared with $28.21 billion in May. Including services, total exports rose 9.5% year-on-year to $73.45 billion, while total imports jumped 26.8% to $88.76 billion. As a result, the country's overall trade deficit, including services, widened to $15.32 billion, compared with $2.89 billion in June 2025.

Crude oil prices extended their rally as escalating tensions in the US-Iran conflict heightened fears of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. Brent crude futures climbed 2% to $84.98 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude advanced 2.1% to $79.79 per barrel. Brent had already surged 9.6% in the previous session, marking its biggest single-day gain since May 2020.

Gold prices remained under pressure as expectations of tighter monetary policy strengthened amid rising inflation risks linked to higher energy prices. Spot gold slipped 0.1% to $3,996.63 per ounce, while spot silver declined 0.3% to $57.50 per ounce.

The Gift Nifty Live Chart shows a weak start for the Indian stock market today. By 7:41 AM, the Gift Nifty was trading around the 24,062 level, a discount of 180.8 points from the Nifty futures’ previous close of 24,242.80.

Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said that Indian markets are expected to trade under pressure as the continuing exchange of military strikes between the United States and Iran weighs on global risk sentiment. Investor concerns have intensified after the U.S. reinstated a naval blockade on Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and announced a 20% transit fee on cargo passing through the strategic waterway, triggering fresh fears of disruptions to global energy supplies and a sharp surge in crude oil prices.

Crude oil prices have climbed above the $80 per barrel mark, touching a four-week high, and are currently trading in the $79–80 range. Adding to the cautious market sentiment, the latest inflation data showed a sharp acceleration in India's consumer price inflation. Retail inflation rose to 4.38% in June, up from 3.93% in May, driven primarily by higher food and transport costs. With inflation now exceeding the RBI's 4% target, the recent surge in crude oil prices has intensified concerns over imported inflation, posing a key headwind to India's inflation outlook and the broader macroeconomic environment.

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