On Friday, 11th April 2025, India's benchmark indices, Nifty50 and Sensex, experienced a significant upswing. The Sensex settled 1,310 points (1.77%) higher at 75,157.26, and the Nifty closed 429.40 points (1.91%) higher at 22,828.55. This surge in the Indian stock market was primarily attributed to the U.S. announcement of a 90-day suspension of an additional 26% tariff on India, which boosted investor sentiment. However, persistent global trade uncertainties continued to play a significant role in market dynamics.
Sectoral Performance and Top Movers
Across sectors, the Nifty Metal indices showed strong performance surging 4.09%, followed by Nifty Pharma, surging over 2.43%. Nifty Auto and Healthcare also rose by more than 2%. Additionally, Nifty Financial Services, IT, PSU Bank, Realty, Consumer Durables, and Oil & Gas sectors opened with gains ranging from 0.69–4%. Individual stock movements included Tata Steel rallying 6% on news of Dutch job cuts, with brokerages predicting up to a 33% upside.
Sun Pharma shares also rallied 5% after a US court lifted launch restrictions on an autoimmune drug, and Biocon shares jumped nearly 6% following a USFDA nod for a cancer drug. Other gainers included Samvardhana Motherson, which zoomed 6% after announcing a EUR 50 mn cost optimisation drive, and VIP Clothing, with its stock up nearly 11% after partnering with Zepto. Conversely, TCS shares came under pressure after a weaker-than-expected Q4 performance and subsequent target price cuts. Muthoot Finance tumbled 14% in a two-day rout following RBI's tightening of gold loan rules.
Global Economic Influences and Trade Tensions
Despite the positive momentum in the Indian market, global trade tensions remained a key concern. The initial positive reaction to the US tariff pause for some countries was tempered by escalating trade disputes, particularly between the US and China, with China announcing additional tariffs on US goods, raising them to 125% from 84%. This development caused US stock index futures to turn lower, with the Dow falling significantly from its peak. Similarly, European shares saw a rise but were still heading for their third weekly decline due to tariff woes. Howard Marks cautioned that President Trump's tariff push could have damaging economic consequences similar to Brexit, warning of potential recession risks. The US-China trade war also lifted safe-haven asset gold to a record high, driven by recession fears.
Investor Activity and Market Indicators
The advance-decline ratio in the market favoured buyers. India's volatility index (India VIX) saw a significant drop, easing by 6% and later nearly 11%. Interestingly, the NSE added over 2 crore new investor accounts in just six months, crossing 22 crore total accounts, with unique investors reaching 11.3 crore. However, SIP inflows saw a slight dip, hitting a 4-month low at ₹25,926 crore in March, and equity mutual fund inflows also dropped by 14% to ₹25,082 crore, possibly amid the muted market performance in the last 6 months.
Expert Opinions and Outlook
Analysts suggested that the morning gap-up opening in the Nifty might not be fully sustainable due to elevated global market uncertainty. Dr. VK Vijayakumar of Geojit Investments Limited noted that bond market actions had forced President Trump's initial retreat from broader reciprocal tariffs. Concerns over slowing growth, declining inflation, and global economic uncertainties remain.
Market Performance at 12 PM
- Sensex: The BSE Sensex climbed by 1,467.88 points (2.00%), trading at 75,323.34.
- Nifty: The NSE Nifty gained 474 points (2.12%), trading near 22,876.
Top Gainers
- Opening Price: ₹585.00
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹592.60
- % Change: +5.07%
Hindalco Industries saw a sharp rise driven by bullish sentiment in the metals sector, potentially linked to global aluminum demand.
- Opening Price: ₹134.67
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹133.05
- % Change: +4.62%
Tata Steel rallied on expectations of improved margins and higher steel prices in the international market.
- Opening Price: ₹972.45
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹987.55
- % Change: +4.44%
JSW Steel gained significantly amid optimism surrounding domestic infrastructure spending and global steel demand.
- Opening Price: ₹4,782.50
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹4,813.00
- % Change: +4.17%
Retail giant Trent benefited from investor confidence in consumer demand recovery and strong quarterly performance.
- Opening Price: ₹2,065.00
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹2,138.35
- % Change: +3.93%
Kotak Mahindra Bank share price surged following positive aspects of loan growth and stable asset quality.
- Opening Price: ₹389.95
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹389.95
- % Change: +3.78%
Coal India gained due to increased power demand and expectations of higher coal production and offtake as summer approaches.
- Opening Price: ₹2,303.05
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹2,318.25
- % Change: +3.64%
ADANIENT rose amid market optimism over the group’s ongoing infrastructure investments and debt reduction plans.
- Opening Price: ₹1,909.45
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹1,961.80
- % Change: +3.49%
Bajaj Finserv gained as investors responded positively to its strong performance in financial services and insurance.
- Opening Price: ₹627.00
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹644.90
- % Change: +3.03%
Shriram Finance rose after reports of expansion plans and stable loan performance in the NBFC sector.
- Opening Price: ₹225.78
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹227.87
- % Change: +3.15%
JIOFIN gained as investor sentiment remained high on future potential and expansion in digital finance services.
- Opening Price: ₹216.00
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹217.97
- % Change: +3.11%
Eternal showed upward movement likely due to positive earnings outlook and news related to operational performance.
- Opening Price: ₹294.00
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹302.35
- % Change: +2.84%
Power Grid saw gains amid strong demand for energy infrastructure and government initiatives in electrification.
- Opening Price: ₹610.00
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹626.30
- % Change: +2.86%
Tata Motors rose on expectations of strong auto sales figures and optimism around its EV portfolio.
- Opening Price: ₹1,539.00
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹1,523.85
- % Change: +2.85%
SBI Life gained on positive sentiment in the insurance sector and improved premium collection data.
- Opening Price: ₹1,360.00
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹1,418.55
- % Change: +2.79%
HCL Tech rallied on news of large IT contract wins and stable performance in digital transformation services.
Top Losers
- Opening Price: ₹2,439.50
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹2,389.00
- % Change: -0.92%
Asian Paints saw a decline amid concerns over rising raw material costs and subdued demand in the real estate sector, which directly affects paint consumption.
- Opening Price: ₹2,345.70
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹2,330.70
- % Change: -0.60%
Nestlé India slipped slightly as investors booked profits after recent gains. There may also be minor concerns regarding input cost inflation impacting FMCG margins.
- Opening Price: ₹6,822.70
- Closing Price (LTP): ₹6,803.85
- % Change: -0.44%
Apollo Hospitals recorded a mild drop due to market volatility or sectoral rotation. Fundamentals remain strong, but short-term investor sentiment might be cautious.
Market Open
The Indian equity indices started Friday's trade on a higher note, defying global sentiments. The Nifty 50 opened the day 296.25 points or 1.32% higher at 22,695.40 and the Sensex surged 988.34 points or 1.34% higher to open the day at 74,835.49. The Nifty Midcap 100 performed better than the benchmark indices, opening the session 954 points or 1.92% higher at 50,535.
Factors Influencing Market Sentiment
- U.S. Slams China with 145% Duty: The United States has proceeded to impose a combined tariff of 145% on Chinese imports—consisting of the current 20% base tariff plus an additional 125%. Beijing reacted by imposing retaliatory levies of 84% on U.S. goods. A White House spokesperson clarified that these new tariffs were imposed following China's failure to suspend its own tariffs on U.S. goods within the Tuesday deadline.
- Trump's 90‑Day Tariff Moratorium: On Wednesday, President Trump declared a 90‑day halt to the newly imposed reciprocal duties on imports from all but a few nations. But investors are still nervous, cautioning that even this temporary reprieve might not counteract the drag on economic activity resulting from the disproportionately high tariffs aimed at China.
Global Backdrop:
- US Dollar: On Friday morning, the US Dollar Index (DXY) retreated by 0.76%, closing at 100.10. This index, which compares the greenback to six major currencies—British pound, euro, Swedish krona, Japanese yen and Swiss franc—reflects a weaker dollar. In India, on April 10, the rupee dipped by 0.49%, closing at ₹86.69 against the dollar.
- Gold Rate Today: In global commerce, gold jumped 3.2% to $3,177.50—its highest one-day gain since April 2020. Locally, gold is closing in on the ₹100,000-per-10-gram mark. The 24‑carat gold price jumped 3.14% week-on-week to ₹92,170 per 10 grams, a 6% increase in the last month. 22‑carat gold is meanwhile quoted at ₹84,489 per 10 grams, while 18‑carat sells at ₹69,128.
- Crude Oil: Crude prices dropped on Friday. West Texas Intermediate was at $59.59, down by 0.80%, while Brent declined by 0.69% to $62.89 this morning.
Stocks in Focus:
- TCS: Q4 FY25 net profit ₹12,224 cr, down 1.7% YoY; blames market uncertainty, slower client decisions and project reductions; guarded outlook for FY26.
- Anand Rathi Wealth: Q4 net profit ₹74 cr (+30% QoQ); revenue ₹241.4 cr (+22% QoQ); final dividend ₹7/share.
- Biocon Biologics: FDA approves Jobevne™ (bevacizumab‑nwgd) oncology biosimilar for US market.
- Eternal Limited (ex‑Zomato): Initiated liquidation of Netherlands subsidiary Zomato Netherlands BV.
- Hindustan Copper: Resumed ore production at Kolihan mine (Rajasthan).
- SRF Limited: Commissioned ₹239 cr agrochemical intermediates facility at Dahej, Gujarat.
- BLS International: FZE arm to buy 99.90% share in Dominican Republic's BLS Ventures S.R.L.
- Tata Steel (Netherlands): Initiated consultations on restructure that can reduce 1,600 roles.
- Accenture & Deloitte: US DoD to end $5.1 bn "non‑essential" IT service contracts.
- BHEL: Inks MoU with Nuovo Pignone International to research compressor retrofits for India's fertiliser industry.
- Sun Pharma: US Federal Circuit removes injunction, paving the way for Leqselvi launch.
- GAIL: Registers significant progress on Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga pipeline project.
- Bharti Hexacom: Suspends sale of infrastructure business to Indus Towers.
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