Stock markets extended the winning run to the sixth consecutive day on Thursday (August 21, 2025), with benchmark Sensex closing higher by nearly 143 points on buying in blue-chip shares ICICI Bank and Reliance Industries.
The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 142.87 points or 0.17%, to settle at 82,000.71 in a restricted trade. During the day, it rallied 373.33 points or 0.45%, to 82,231.17. As many as 14 Sensex shares closed higher, while 16 ended with losses.
The 50-share NSE Nifty rose by 33.20 points or 0.13%, to 25,083.75.
Among Sensex firms, Bajaj Finserv, ICICI Bank, Reliance Industries, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro and Bharat Electronics were the major gainers. However, Power Grid, Eternal, Hindustan Unilever and Adani Ports were among the laggards.
Gains in pharma, realty, and financial shares supported the rally, while profit-taking in FMCG, energy, and auto shares capped gains.
Market experts stated that the proposed GST reforms and a recent credit rating upgrade have bolstered investors’ confidence. A Group of Ministers on GST rate rationalisation has accepted the Centre’s proposal to move to a two-slab structure of 5% and 18%. The GST Council is likely to take a final call on the proposal next month. Goods and Services Tax is a 4-tier structure of 5, 12, 18 and 28%.
Also read: Required reforms: On reforms to the GST system
“Markets traded lacklustre on the weekly expiry day and ended largely unchanged amid mixed cues. After a flat start, the Nifty moved in a narrow range throughout the session,” Ajit Mishra – SVP, Research, Religare Broking Limited, said.
Investors also turned their attention towards U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s forthcoming statements at the Jackson Hole Symposium.
The BSE smallcap gauge ended flat, ending marginally higher by 0.01%. The midcap index dipped 0.12%.
Among BSE sectoral indices, healthcare climbed 0.61%, realty (0.46%), industrials (0.25%), oil and gas (0.19%) and financial services (0.17%).
Power, commodities, consumer discretionary, FMCG, utilities and auto were among the laggards.
As many as 2,098 stocks advanced while 1,995 declined and 155 remained unchanged on the BSE.
In Asian markets, South Korea’s Kospi and Shanghai’s SSE Composite index settled in positive territory, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng ended lower. Markets in Europe were trading in negative territory.
The U.S. markets ended mostly lower on Wednesday (August 20, 2025).
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹1,100.09 crore on Wednesday (August 20, 2025), while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought stocks worth ₹1,806.34 crore, according to exchange data.
Global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.90% to $67.44 a barrel.
In the six-day rally to Thursday (August 21, 2025), the Sensex has climbed 1,765 points, or 2.14%, and the Nifty by 596 points, or 2.4%.
Published – August 21, 2025 05:16 pm IST
