Closing Bell: Nifty 50 Ends Lower by 0.50% as Key Indices Decline on August 18 | 18 Aug 2026, 03:45 PM IST
By ThePip Desk
Indian equity benchmarks concluded Tuesday, August 18, 2026, on a negative note. The Nifty 50 settled at 24166.35, declining by 121.30 points, as broader market indices also saw losses.
Indian equity benchmarks concluded Tuesday, August 18, 2026, on a negative note, reflecting a cautious sentiment across the market. These are the final settled closing figures for Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The Nifty 50 finished the session at 24166.35, recording a decline of −121.30 points, or −0.50%. Similarly, the Nifty Bank also closed lower, settling at 57308.15 with a fall of −189.65 points, or −0.33%. The broader market index, NIFTY Midcap 100, also experienced a downturn, ending at 63574.65, down by −242.35 points, or −0.38%.
Index Performance at a Glance
| Name | Close | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | 24166.35 | −121.30 | −0.50% |
| Nifty Bank | 57308.15 | −189.65 | −0.33% |
| NIFTY Midcap 100 | 63574.65 | −242.35 | −0.38% |
Top Performers and Laggards
Among the Nifty 50 constituents, Axis Bank Ltd. emerged as the top gainer, rising by +1.44% to ₹1245. Max Healthcare Institute Ltd. also posted gains, closing +1.03% higher at ₹1014. Grasim Industries Ltd. saw its shares increase by +0.88%, settling at ₹3279.
| Gainer | Close (₹) | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| Axis Bank Ltd. (AXISBANK) | 1245 | +1.44% |
| Max Healthcare Institute Ltd. (MAXHEALTH) | 1014 | +1.03% |
| Grasim Industries Ltd. (GRASIM) | 3279 | +0.88% |
| Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) | 3412.5 | +0.65% |
| Power Grid Corporation Of India Ltd. (POWERGRID) | 267.7 | +0.58% |
| Reliance Industries Ltd. (RELIANCE) | 1321.3 | +0.40% |
| Trent Ltd. (TRENT) | 2955 | +0.31% |
| Adani Enterprises Ltd. (ADANIENT) | 3013.6 | +0.21% |
| NTPC Ltd. (NTPC) | 337.7 | +0.21% |
| Bajaj Finance Ltd. (BAJFINANCE) | 1091 | +0.16% |
Conversely, Asian Paints Ltd. was the biggest laggard, declining by −2.51% to ₹2620.1. Technology stocks also faced pressure, with Infosys Ltd. dropping −2.29% to ₹1113.8 and HCL Technologies Ltd. falling −2.26% to ₹1295.
| Loser | Close (₹) | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Paints Ltd. (ASIANPAINT) | 2620.1 | −2.51% |
| Infosys Ltd. (INFY) | 1113.8 | −2.29% |
| HCL Technologies Ltd. (HCLTECH) | 1295 | −2.26% |
| Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. (TMPV) | 322.8 | −2.24% |
| Wipro Ltd. (WIPRO) | 178.8 | −1.70% |
| Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) | 311.3 | −1.69% |
| Ultratech Cement Ltd. (ULTRACEMCO) | 11514 | −1.43% |
| Tech Mahindra Ltd. (TECHM) | 1587 | −1.43% |
| Shriram Finance Ltd. (SHRIRAMFIN) | 1106.5 | −1.38% |
| JIO Financial Services Ltd. (JIOFIN) | 246.35 | −1.36% |
Key Stock Movements
In corporate news, Axis Bank Ltd. (AXISBANK) traded higher on the BSE after the bank inaugurated 50 new branches across India. These new branches are spread across eight states, including Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu, indicating an expansion of its retail footprint.
Max Healthcare Institute Ltd. (MAXHEALTH) also saw positive movement, following its report of a +5% rise in Q1 consolidated net profit. The company’s total consolidated income increased by +16.60% to ₹2,406.69 crore for Q1FY27. Additionally, Max Healthcare Institute informed about the grant of options under its ESOS.
Grasim Industries Ltd. (GRASIM) reported a +51% jump in Q1 consolidated net profit. The total consolidated income of the company increased by +21.16% to ₹49,021.35 crore for Q1FY27, contributing to its positive performance today. The company also informed about a board meeting.
The Road Ahead
Investors will be closely monitoring global cues and any further corporate announcements as they look towards Wednesday’s trading session. Key economic data releases, if any, could also influence market direction.