Stock markets tumble nearly 1% on rising geopolitical tensions, boiling crude oil prices

The 30-share BSE Sensex dived 573.38 points or 0.70%, to settle at 81,118.60. During the morning trade, it tanked 1,337.39 points or 1.63% to 80,354.59. File
| Photo Credit: AP

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty tumbled nearly 1% on Friday (June 13, 2025) as weak global markets and a spike in Brent crude oil prices after Israel attacked Iran’s capital weighed on investor sentiment.

Falling for the second day in a row, the 30-share BSE Sensex dived 573.38 points or 0.70%, to settle at 81,118.60. During the morning trade, it tanked 1,337.39 points or 1.63% to 80,354.59.

Also read: Israel strikes Iran updates on June 13

The 50-share NSE Nifty dropped 169.60 points or 0.68% to 24,718.60. Investors stayed away from riskier assets amid fears of a full-blown war between Israel and Iran and foreign fund outflows.

Among the Sensex firms, Adani Ports, ITC, State Bank of India, IndusInd Bank, HDFC Bank, Titan, Kotak Mahindra Bank and UltraTech Cement were the major laggards.

On the other hand, Tech Mahindra, Tata Consultancy Services, Sun Pharma and Maruti were the gainers.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude jumped 7.44% to $74.52 a barrel.

In Asian markets, South Korea’s Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index, Shanghai’s SSE Composite index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng settled lower.

European markets were quoting lower.

U.S. markets ended in positive territory on Thursday (June 12, 2025).

“Indian equity benchmarks experienced downward pressure, driven by weak global cues and foreign institutional outflows. Market sentiment was notably impacted by heightened geopolitical tensions following Israel’s military strike on Iran, which significantly increased risk aversion among investors. Although India’s CPI for May eased below the RBI’s comfort threshold, offering a positive macro signal, this was largely overshadowed by external headwinds.

“Brent crude prices climbed to near $76/barrel, their highest this year, raising fears of inflation if tensions persist,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹3,831.42 crore on Thursday (June 12, 2025), according to exchange data.

Meanwhile, a London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed in Ahmedabad minutes after taking off from the airport on Thursday (June 12, 2025) afternoon.

Air India has confirmed the death of 241 people in the plane crash. One passenger miraculously escaped.

On Thursday (June 12, 2025), the 30-share BSE Sensex dropped 823.16 points or 1%, to settle at 81,691.98. The Nifty tumbled 253.20 points or 1.01%, to 24,888.20.