Indian equity markets experienced a volatile session on January 13, 2026, closing lower with the Sensex down by 250.48 points to 83,627.69 and the Nifty 50 falling 57.95 points to 25,732.30. This decline was primarily attributed to escalating geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran, alongside cautious sentiment surrounding ongoing India-US trade negotiations. The US-Iran conflict has intensified in early 2026, driven by widespread protests within Iran and confrontational responses from the US. US President Donald Trump announced potential 25% tariffs on countries engaging in business with Iran and canceled official engagements, urging continued protests. These developments have fueled global uncertainty, particularly affecting energy markets, leading to a significant increase in crude oil prices and heightened volatility across various asset classes. Concurrently, India and the US are actively engaged in discussions to finalize a bilateral trade deal. On January 13, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio focusing on trade, critical minerals, nuclear energy, and defense cooperation. However, there are conflicting reports regarding the immediate scheduling of further talks, with an Indian official denying imminent discussions despite the US Ambassador's claims of active engagement. Amid these global and bilateral uncertainties, gold and silver prices surged to all-time highs on January 14, 2026, buoyed by recent US inflation data and increased demand for safe-haven assets. MCX gold hit ₹1,42,949 per 10 grams, with 24K gold trading around ₹14,362 to ₹14,552 per gram in India. The Mint article also included recommendations for eight stocks to consider buying, a regular feature providing expert insights for investors navigating the dynamic market conditions.