ITC Share Price Slides to 52-Week Low as Market Pressure Intensifies | Stock Market Today

The stock market today had a familiar story to tell. Caution was everywhere, volumes were thin, and heavyweight stocks struggled for direction. In this fragile setup, ITC share price once again found itself under pressure.

On Tuesday, January 13, ITC shares slipped nearly 1% to ₹334.85, marking a fresh 52-week low. The fall didn’t come out of the blue. It was the ninth straight session of decline, taking the stock down by 17% in just nine trading days.

For investors tracking FMCG stocks, this move stood out—not because it was sharp, but because it reflected deeper concerns building quietly in the background.

Market Performance: ITC Share Price Under Sustained Pressure

The broader mood in the stock market today remained weak, and ITC moved in line with that sentiment.

Here’s how the stock has behaved recently:

• Down 17% over the last nine trading sessions
• Fallen nearly 20% in the past six months
• Declined 24% over the last one year
• Touched a 52-week low of ₹334.85
• Previous 52-week high: ₹471.50, recorded on February 1, 2025

The steady decline shows persistent selling rather than a one-day reaction. That’s what has kept ITC share price in focus since the start of the year.

Main News: Tax Changes Weigh on Sentiment

The pressure on ITC share price intensified after the government announced changes to the taxation framework for tobacco products.

In December 2025, the Indian government confirmed an additional excise duty on tobacco, effective February 1, 2026. This announcement immediately shifted market sentiment around cigarette-focused businesses.

Key tax-related developments impacting ITC

• A new excise duty introduced under amendments to the Central Excise Act
• Duty ranges between ₹2,050 and ₹8,500 per 1,000 cigarette sticks
• The rate depends on the length of the cigarette
• This excise duty applies over and above 40% GST

Alongside this, another regulatory update came into play.

Pan Masala Cess Framework Explained

The government also notified the Health and National Security Cess Act, which impacts pan masala–related manufacturing businesses.

Important details include:

• Cess will be linked to manufacturing capacity
• Effective date: February 1, 2026
• Despite changes, the overall tax burden on pan masala remains 88%
• This 88% includes the existing 40% GST

The revised structure replaces the older system that included:

• 28% GST
• Compensation cess on tobacco and allied products

While the total tax burden on pan masala hasn’t increased, the structural change has added uncertainty, especially for companies linked to regulated segments.

Why ITC Share Price Is Feeling the Heat?

ITC has remained in the spotlight since the beginning of the year, largely due to its exposure to cigarettes, which form a key part of its business.

With taxes set to rise from February 2026, markets are recalibrating expectations. Even without immediate financial impact, sentiment has taken a hit, and that reflects clearly in the share price movement.

The recent fall suggests that investors are reacting more to policy visibility and timing rather than immediate numbers.

Company Details: Where ITC Stands?

• ITC shares are listed on both BSE and NSE
• The company operates across FMCG, cigarettes, hotels, paperboards, packaging, and agri-business
• Cigarettes continue to remain a crucial segment influencing market perception

While other businesses add stability, cigarette taxation remains a dominant trigger for near-term movements in ITC share price.

Summary: What This Means for Investors?

The story around ITC share price is no longer about sudden shocks. It’s about a slow, visible shift in sentiment driven by regulatory clarity.

To sum it up:

• ITC has hit a 52-week low at ₹334.85
• The stock has fallen 17% in nine sessions
• Government-announced excise duty hike, effective February 1, 2026, is weighing on sentiment
• Tax changes include excise duty of ₹2,050–₹8,500 per 1,000 sticks, plus 40% GST
• Pan masala tax burden remains unchanged at 88%, despite structural tweaks

As the stock market today continues to navigate policy signals and broader weakness, ITC’s movement reflects how regulatory changes—even before implementation—can reshape market psychology.

For now, the chart tells a clear story: pressure remains, and the market is still digesting what lies ahead.

Source: Livemint