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Bronze statue of a bull outside the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building in Mumbai. File.
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A broker reacts while watching the downfall of stocks at Bombay Stock Exchange in Mumbai. File
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Brokers watch the movement of stock prices on their computer screens during a trading session. File photo
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Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined in initial trade on Thursday (February 20, 2025) as fresh tariff threats, weak Asian markets and foreign fund outflows hurt investors’ sentiment.

The 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex dropped 393.01 points to 75,546.17 in early trade. The NSE Nifty declined 118.95 points to 22,813.95.

From the Sensex pack, HDFC Bank, ITC, Maruti, Mahindra & Mahindra, Zomato and Hindustan Unilever were among the biggest laggards.

NTPC, Infosys, Reliance Industries and Adani Ports were among the gainers.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹1,881.30 crore on Wednesday (February 19) after a day’s breather, according to exchange data.

“Trump’s tariff talks continue to impact markets. Trump’s declaration that the US will impose 25% tariffs on automobiles, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals impacted India’s pharma stocks since India’s leading pharma companies are major exporters to the US. If this is implemented in early April as Trump declared, it will impact the US, too, through shortages and higher prices,” V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services, said.

In Asian markets, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong were trading in the negative territory.

“Market participants in Asia were primarily concerned about the potential ramifications of the tariff plans on global trade dynamics. Given this backdrop, it is anticipated that Indian bourses will move in tandem with their Asian counterparts,” Ameya Ranadive, Chartered Market Technician, CFTe, Sr Technical Analyst, StoxBox, said.

US markets ended in the positive territory on Wednesday.

“President Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on imports like automobiles, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, set to begin on April 2, could disrupt global trade,” Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd, said.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude dipped 0.32 per cent to USD 75.80 a barrel.

The Sensex dipped 28.21 points or 0.04 per cent to settle at 75,939.18 on Wednesday. The Nifty skidded 12.40 points or 0.05 per cent to 22,932.90.

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty began the trade on an optimistic note on Friday (February 14, 2025) after India and the United States agreed to conclude the first phase of a mutually beneficial ambitious trade pact by this year and set a target of USD 500 billion in annual bilateral trade by 2030.

A rally in the US markets overnight also drove the domestic equities higher.

The 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex climbed 344.09 points to 76,483.06 in early trade. The NSE Nifty went up by 102.3 points to 23,133.70.

From the 30-share blue-chip pack, ICICI Bank, HCL Tech, Infosys, ITC, Tech Mahindra and Maruti were among the biggest gainers.

Adani Ports, Zomato, Sun Pharma and NTPC were among the laggards.

In Asian markets, Seoul, Shanghai and Hong Kong traded higher while Tokyo quoted lower.

The U..S. markets ended higher on Thursday.

In an ambitious move, India and the U.S. agreed to conclude the first phase of a mutually beneficial ambitious trade pact by this year and set a target of USD 500 billion in annual bilateral trade by 2030 even as President Donald Trump asserted that Washington will not spare New Delhi from reciprocal tariffs.

Issues relating to trade and tariffs figured extensively in a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump that took place hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new reciprocal tariff policy for all the trading partners of the US..

At a joint media briefing with Mr. Modi, Mr. Trump announced that he and Mr., Modi agreed on a deal that would facilitate India to import more US oil and gas to bring down Washington’s trade deficit with New Delhi.

“Early indications from the Modi-Trump talks are positive from the market perspective. India’s willingness to buy more oil & gas from the US can help reduce the trade deficit with the US. Even though Trump is unlikely to back down on reciprocal tariffs, India is treated as a friendly country and the bonhomie between the two leaders augurs well for India,” V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services, said.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹2,789.91 crore on February 13, 2025, according to exchange data.

“The oversold market can bounce back in the near-term but a sustained rally is unlikely since the FIIs continue to be on sell mode. Only a decline in dollar and US bond yields will turn the FIIs into buyers. So watch out for this space,” Mr. Vijayakumar added.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude went up by 0.23 per cent to USD 75.19 a barrel.

The BSE benchmark Sensex dipped 32.11 points or 0.04 per cent to settle at 76,138.97 on Thursday. The Nifty slipped 13.85 points or 0.06 per cent to 23,031.40.

Bajaj Finserv, Tata Steel, Larsen & Toubro, UltraTech Cement, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Tata Motors were among the gainers. File
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Stock markets closed lower for the sixth straight day on Wednesday (February 12, 2025) with Sensex falling by 122 points on unabated foreign fund outflows and trade war worries.

The 30-share BSE Sensex, which had tanked more than 900 points intra-day, closed at 76,171.08, down by 122.52 points or 0.16% following a recovery in financial stocks in the last hour.

During the day, the benchmark tanked 905.21 points or 1.18% to sink below the 76,000-level to hit a low of 75,388.39.

The NSE Nifty dipped 26.55 points or 0.12% to 23,045.25, marking its sixth straight day of losses. Intra-day, it tumbled 273.45 points or 1.18% to 22,798.35, falling below the crucial 23,000-mark.

Since February 4, the BSE bellwether gauge has slumped 2,412.73 points or 3.07%, while the Nifty tanked 694 points or 2.92%.

From the 30-share Sensex pack, Mahindra & Mahindra, ITC, Power Grid, Reliance Industries, IndusInd Bank, Adani Ports, Titan and Infosys were the biggest laggards.

Bajaj Finserv, Tata Steel, Larsen & Toubro, UltraTech Cement, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Tata Motors were among the gainers.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹4,486.41 crore on Tuesday (February 11, 2025), according to exchange data.

“The Indian market saw a slight recovery from the sharp intraday declines; however, overall sentiment remained weak due to elevated broader market valuations and muted Q3 earnings growth. Concerns over excessive valuations are expected to sustain the ongoing consolidation phase,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services, said.

Additionally, uncertainty regarding the impact of metal tariffs added to market caution, Mr. Nair said.

“The upcoming release of U.S. CPI inflation data will provide further market direction,” he added.

In Asian markets, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong ended in the positive territory.

European markets were trading higher. U.S. markets ended mostly higher on Tuesday (February 11, 2025).

Global oil benchmark Brent crude declined 0.78% to $76.40 a barrel.

Declining for the fifth day running on Tuesday (February 11, 2025), the BSE Sensex dropped 1,018.20 points or 1.32% to settle at a two-week low of 76,293.60. The Nifty cracked 309.80 points or 1.32% to 23,071.80.

People walk outside the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in Mumbai. File photo
| Photo Credit: REUTERS

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty slumped in initial trade on Wednesday (February 12, 2025) as unabated foreign fund outflows and trade war fears continued to unnerve investors.

The 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex declined 274.56 points to 76,019.04 in early trade. The NSE Nifty dropped 78.45 points to 22,993.35.

Both the benchmark indices further declined in the trade with the Nifty falling below the crucial 23,000-mark to trade at 22,915.40, down 156.40 points. The BSE benchmark gauge also dropped below 76,000-level to quote at 75,668.97, down 645.04 points.

In the past five days, the BSE bellwether gauge has slumped 2,290.21 points or 2.91 per cent, while the Nifty tanked 667.45 points or 2.81 per cent.

From the 30-share blue-chip pack, Mahindra & Mahindra, Zomato, Reliance Industries, Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank, Asian Paints, ITC and Adani Ports were the biggest laggards.

Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech and Hindustan Unilever were among the gainers.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹4,486.41 crore on February 11, 2025, according to exchange data.

“Dalal Street is gripped by pessimism as fears mount over further declines if Nifty slips below the crucial 23,000-mark. Key factors weighing on sentiment include Rs 1 lakh crore in FII outflows this year and ongoing concerns about Trump’s tariff threats,” Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd, said.

In Asian markets, Shanghai quoted lower while Seoul, Tokyo and Hong Kong were trading in the positive territory US markets ended mostly higher on Tuesday.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude dipped 0.34 per cent to USD 76.74 a barrel.

Declining for the fifth day running on Tuesday, the BSE Sensex dropped 1,018.20 points or 1.32 per cent to settle at a two-week low of 76,293.60. The Nifty cracked 309.80 points or 1.32 per cent to 23,071.80.

A bronze statue of a charging bull inside the premises of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in Mumbai. File photo
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Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty climbed in initial trade on Thursday (January 2, 2025) amid buying in frontline IT and bank stocks.

The 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex climbed 242.95 points to 78,750.36 in early trade. The NSE Nifty went up by 69.25 points to 23,812.15.

From the 30 blue-chip pack, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Infosys, HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Consultancy Services were the biggest gainers.

NTPC, Sun Pharma, Asian Paints and Adani Ports were among the laggards.

The gross GST collection rose 7.3 per cent year-on-year to ₹1.77 lakh crore in December despite a significant increase in both domestic and export refunds.

In Asian markets, Seoul, Shanghai and Hong Kong were trading lower.

US markets were closed on Wednesday for New Year holiday.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹1,782.71 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.44 per cent to USD 74.97 a barrel.

The BSE benchmark climbed 368.40 points or 0.47 per cent to settle at 78,507.41 on the first trading session of 2025 on Wednesday. The Nifty went up by 98.10 points or 0.41 per cent to 23,742.90.

Brokers react during a stock market session. File photo
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Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rallied in early trade on Tuesday (December 3, 2024) amid buying in blue-chip stocks like HDFC Bank and State Bank of India and firm trends in global markets.

The BSE benchmark Sensex climbed 300.98 points to 80,549.06 in early trade. The NSE Nifty went up by 101.85 points to 24,377.90.

From the 30-share Sensex pack, Adani Ports, State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, JSW Steel, IndusInd Bank, Bajaj Finance and JSW Steel were the biggest gainers.

ITC, Bharti Airtel, Sun Pharma and Power Grid were among the laggards.

In Asian markets, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong were trading higher.

US markets ended mostly in the positive territory on Monday.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹238.28 crore on Monday, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought shares worth ₹3,588.66 crore, according to exchange data.

“The underlying resilience of the market is evident in its ability to bounce back. The strength in market heavyweights like Reliance and HDFC Bank can impart resilience to the market,” V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services, said.

Stock trader looking at a share price on a screen at a brokerage house as BSE index moved up on a trading day. File photo
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Benchmark equity indices climbed in early trade on Thursday (October 10, 2024) amid a firm trend in global equities and buying in banking stocks.

Market participants will closely watch Q2 earnings season, starting with Tata Consultancy Services which is set to report its results later in the day, traders said.

The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 309.85 points or 0.38 per cent to 81,776.95 in early trade. The NSE Nifty went up 90.70 points or 0.36 per cent to 25,072.65.

From the 30 Sensex companies, PowerGrid, NTPC, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Axis Bank, Mahindra and Mahindra and Larsen & Toubro were among the gainers.

Infosys, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Bharti Airtel, Asian Paints, Tech Mahindra and ICICI Bank were among the laggards.

In Asian markets, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Seoul were trading higher.

Wall Street ended with gains in overnight deals on Wednesday.

“The record highs in the US market, positive trends in Asian markets, and the Reserve Bank of India’s dovish commentary have uplifted market sentiment,” Vikas Jain, Head of Research at Reliance Securities, said.

Global oil benchmark Brent Crude climbed 0.77 per cent to USD 77.18 a barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹4,562.71 crore on Wednesday, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought equities worth ₹3,508.61 crore, according to exchange data.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept its key interest rate unchanged on Wednesday but took the first step towards a rate cut as it eased its relatively hawkish policy stance to ‘neutral’.

The monetary policy committee, which included three RBI officials and an equal number of new external members, voted five-to-one to keep the benchmark repurchase or repo rate – which governs the interest rate of home, auto, corporate and other loans – at 6.5 per cent for a 10th straight policy meeting.