Introduction
The Share Market 18 July ended on a sour note as benchmark indices closed deep in the red. Despite a few bright spots in the mid and small-cap segments, a wave of selling in financials and select large caps pulled the broader market lower. The sharp fall in Axis Bank after its Q1 results triggered sector-wide weakness, while global cues also remained unsupportive.
Let’s take a closer look at what drove the markets today, along with the top gainers and losers.
How the Share Market Moved on 18 July
On Thursday, the Indian share market faced a sharp decline:
- Sensex closed at 81,753.83, down ~500 points (-0.61%)
- Nifty 50 fell 0.62% to end at 24,956.05
- Bank Nifty slid to 56,489.35, down –0.82%
- Nifty Midcap 100 fell by 0.5%, and the SmallCap Index dropped 0.54%
Persistent FII outflows, weak bank earnings, and global uncertainty dampened investor confidence.
Top Gainer Stocks – 18 July
Despite the overall weakness, a few stocks bucked the trend and posted strong gains, especially in midcaps and PSUs.
Top 5 Gainers
| S.No | Stock | Day Change % | Last Traded Price (LTP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat Mineral | +14.73% | ₹435.3 | 52-week high, high volumes |
| 2 | Saregama | +4.6% | ₹509.5 | Positive investor sentiment |
| 3 | PVR INOX | +4.43% | ₹1019.4 | Regulatory relief support |
| 4 | Chennai Petroleum | +4.3% | ₹779.4 | Oil sector momentum |
| 5 | Sammaan Capital | +3.96% | ₹136.12 | Continued small-cap rally |
Gujarat Mineral took the spotlight after hitting a fresh 52-week high amid strong buying interest, while entertainment and energy stocks like Saregama and Chennai Petroleum followed suit.
Top Loser Stocks – 18 July
Heavy profit-booking and missed earnings estimates weighed down several key stocks.
Top 5 Losers
| S.No | Stock | Day Change % | Last Traded Price (LTP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valor Estate | –15.22% | ₹199.47 | High-volume fall |
| 2 | Clean Science | –8.75% | ₹1318.7 | Weak market interest |
| 3 | Newgen Software | –6.14% | ₹962.6 | Earnings miss |
| 4 | Alok Industries | –5.54% | ₹20.82 | Volume-led correction |
| 5 | Axis Bank | –5.22% | ₹1099.3 | Q1 disappointment hit sentiments |
The sharp fall in Axis Bank triggered selling across the banking sector after Q1 results missed expectations, while Valor Estate and Clean Science faced significant unwinding due to valuation concerns.
Why Did the Share Market Fall Today?
Several reasons contributed to the sell-off on Share Market 18 July:
🔻 Disappointing Q1 Results from Axis Bank
Axis Bank’s Q1 earnings came in below street estimates, with higher provisioning and slower credit growth denting its stock, which tumbled over 5%. This had a cascading effect on the banking sector.
🔻 FII Selling Continues
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued to pull funds from Indian markets. This selling pressure added to volatility and lack of support at higher levels.
🔻 Global Risk-Off Sentiment
Weakness in US markets, elevated crude oil prices, and mixed signals from global central banks increased uncertainty. This added to cautiousness across Dalal Street.
🔻 Broad-Based Weakness
Apart from select gainers, most sectors—especially banking, auto, and capital goods—closed in the red, reflecting broad-based market weakness.
Conclusion
The Share Market 18 July witnessed a sharp downturn led by financials, with Axis Bank’s weak Q1 performance exacerbating selling pressure. However, the resilience shown by PSU and midcap counters like Gujarat Mineral, PVR INOX, and Chennai Petroleum signals selective investor interest remains intact.
Going forward, all eyes will be on upcoming Q1 earnings, global interest rate cues, and FII activity. Investors should brace for short-term volatility but stay focused on quality and long-term fundamentals.