Market Update: Sensex Rises Amid Global Trade Tensions, Sensex up by 309 points, Nifty up by 109 points

The Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced a positive trading day on Wednesday, 16th April 2025, despite initial concerns stemming from weak global cues and escalating US-China trade tensions. The Sensex settled 309 points ( 0.40%) higher at 77,044.29, and the Nifty closed 108.65 points (0.47%) higher at 23,437.20, above the 23,400 mark. This recovery comes after gains of around 4% over the previous two sessions, which helped the Sensex recoup earlier losses following the announcement of reciprocal tariffs by US President Donald Trump on April 2nd.

Key Movers and Shakers

Several stocks exhibited significant movement throughout the trading session. IndusInd Bank led the gains, rising by 6.74%, followed by ONGC which was up by 3.50%. Other notable gainers included Axis Bank (4.33%) and State Bank of India (1.13%). Conversely,Sun Pharma (-0.82%), NTPC (-0.87%), and Infosys (-0.97%) were among the top losers in the Market. 

Sectoral Performance and Opportunities

The performance across different sectors was mixed. Nifty PSU Bank stocks were trading in the green (2.37%), reflecting positive sentiment towards public sector banks. Financials, cement, infrastructure, EMS (electronics manufacturing services), and select consumption sectors like airlines, hotels, and retail are being highlighted as offering value opportunities. The Nifty Midcap 100 traded in green (0.71%), so were the Nifty Small Cap 100 at 1.05%.

Global Influences and Economic Factors

Global markets presented a cautious picture, with Asian stocks slipping and US equity-index futures declining due to persistent trade tensions, particularly following Nvidia Corp.'s announcement of new US restrictions on certain chip exports to China. Japan’s FY25 growth forecast is likely to be cut by the Bank of Japan due to the impact of US tariffs. Meanwhile, gold scaled a new peak at ₹95,190/10g on MCX, driven by safe-haven demand amidst global uncertainty and a weak dollar.

Regulatory Developments and Corporate Actions

Several regulatory and corporate developments also influenced market sentiment. SEBI is reviewing ESG disclosure rules for listed firms after industry concerns were raised. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) imposed a ₹37 lakh penalty on Union Bank of India for past lapses in suspicious transaction reporting. In corporate news, KFin Technologies announced its plan to acquire a 51% stake in Ascent, and Heritage Foods indicated it would hike dairy prices to counter rising costs.

Market Update

As of 12 PM on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the BSE Sensex is trading higher by 17.97 points, down 0.023% at around 76,747.84, while the NSE Nifty 50 is marginally up by about 9.90 points, or 0.04%, trading near 23,337.

Top Gainers of the Market

1. IndusInd Bank (INDUSINDBK)
   
   
• Open: ₹747.00
  
  
• Close (LTP): ₹762.60
  
  
• % Change: +3.63%
  IndusInd Bank led the gainers’ list with a 3.63% rise, driven by robust buying sentiment. The optimism is attributed to improving asset quality, strong credit growth, and impressive returns of over 11% in the last month, reflecting positive investor outlook on the bank’s fundamentals.

1. Trent Ltd. (TRENT)
   
   
• Open: ₹4,922.50
  
  
• Close (LTP): ₹4,995.00
  
  
• % Change: +2.42%
  Trent gained 2.42% as strong retail demand and investor confidence in its fashion and lifestyle segments continued. The company’s expansion into new categories, store network growth, and expectations of a 28% rise in Q4 net sales have kept sentiment buoyant despite recent volatility.

1. Axis Bank (AXISBANK)
   
   
• Open: ₹1,122.70
  
  
• Close (LTP): ₹1,135.00
  
  
• % Change: +1.99%
  Axis Bank rose 1.99% amid positive institutional activity and expectations of improved Q1 earnings. The stock has delivered a 7.14% gain in the past week, supported by strong fundamentals and a positive outlook for the banking sector.
  
  
2. HDFC Life Insurance (HDFCLIFE)
   
   
• Open: ₹700.20
  
  
• Close (LTP): ₹717.30
  
  
• % Change: +1.79%
  HDFC Life climbed 1.79% following reports of increasing insurance penetration and a favourable long-term sector outlook. The company’s better-than-expected Q3 results, with a 14% rise in net profit and strong premium growth, have boosted investor confidence.
  
  
3. Eicher Motors (EICHERMOT)
   
   
• Open: ₹5,549.00
  
  
• Close (LTP): ₹5,596.00
  
  
• % Change: +1.21%
  Eicher Motors gained 1.21% on the back of strong demand trends for Royal Enfield and positive sentiment in the auto sector. The company’s renewed focus on growth, new product launches, and robust export performance have contributed to the stock’s upward momentum.
  

Top Market Losers

1. Hindalco Industries (HINDALCO)
   
   
• Open: ₹618.15
  
  
• Close (LTP): ₹606.60
  
  
• % Change: -1.78%
  Hindalco fell 1.78% due to weak global cues in metal prices and investor concerns over international demand. The stock has been volatile, with a 10% decline over the past month, reflecting sector-wide pressures.
  
  
2. Infosys (INFY)
   
   
• Open: ₹1,425.00
  
  
• Close (LTP): ₹1,402.80
  
  
• % Change: -1.63%
  Infosys dropped 1.63% as IT stocks saw profit booking amid muted guidance concerns and macro uncertainties in global tech spending. The company’s market cap has declined significantly in 2025, and investors are cautious ahead of Q4 earnings.
  
  
3. Maruti Suzuki (MARUTI)
   
   
• Open: ₹11,768.00
  
  
• Close (LTP): ₹11,666.00
  
  
• % Change: -1.59%
  Maruti Suzuki slipped 1.59% amid cautious sentiment on input cost pressures and demand normalization.
  
  
4. Bajaj Auto (BAJAJ-AUTO)
   
   
• Open: ₹7,999.00
  
  
• Close (LTP): ₹7,871.00
  
  
• % Change: -1.56%
  Bajaj Auto declined 1.56% following concerns over export market softness and a muted sales outlook. The company has also lost market share in key segments, compounding worries about sustaining growth.
  
  
5. Eternal (ETERNAL)
   
   
• Open: ₹220.51
  
  
• Close (LTP): ₹219.30
  
  
• % Change: -1.22%
  Eternal experienced a 1.22% decline likely due to sector rotation.

Market Open

Indian benchmark indices Nifty50 and BSE Sensex opened on a muted and mixed note Wednesday, showing guarded sentiment following global weakness after Wall Street's overnight lower close. During the opening bell, Sensex gained 261.89 points, or 0.34%, to 76,996.78, while Nifty50 increased by 15.55 points, or 0.07%, to 23,344.10.

Factors Influencing Market Sentiment

• US Futures: US stock futures dipped slightly as investors prepared for today's retail sales figures and another batch of Q1 earnings—Dow futures fell 0.5%, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures declined 0.9% and 1.5%, respectively.
• China’s Q1 GDP growth: China is poised to unveil its Q1 GDP figures today, with Reuters’ economists pencilling in 5.1% year‑on‑year growth—slightly easing from the 5.4% pace of the prior quarter.
• Trump to China: Your Turn on Trade Deal: At a White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, echoing former President Trump, declared “the ball is in China’s court,” adding that “China needs to make a deal with us; we don’t have to make a deal with them.”

Global Backdrop:

• US Dollar: On Wednesday morning, the US Dollar Index (DXY) declined 0.35% to 99.86, capturing a weaker dollar against its six-currency basket. This barometer, which measures the greenback's performance against major peers like the British pound, euro, Swedish krona, Japanese yen and Swiss franc, highlighted the dollar's modest decline. Concurrently, the Indian rupee fell 0.35%, ending at ₹86.76 versus the dollar on April 15.

• Gold Rate Today: Gold closed Tuesday on a solid note as investors fled to the yellow metal following renewed fears over US tariff policy under President Donald Trump. Global market jitters pushed investors towards gold, increasing its global value. In India, prices moved in tandem: 24‑carat is trading at ₹95,170 per 10 g, 22‑carat at ₹87,190, and 18‑carat at ₹71,340, reports Goodreturns.

• Crude Oil: Early Wednesday, crude oil inched up. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 0.35% to close at $61.54 per barrel, while Brent crude advanced 0.28% to $65.85.

Stocks in Focus:

• Wipro: Q4 results today.
• IndusInd Bank: ₹1,979 cr potential damage from derivative differences (June '24); ~2.27% net‑worth depletion (Dec '24); to recognize impact in FY25 and strengthen controls.
• Gensol Engineering: SEBI interim stop order against company and promoters on suspected diversion of funds.
• IREDA: Q4 net profit rises 49% YoY to ₹502 cr; revenue rises 37% YoY to ₹1,905 cr.
• ICICI Lombard: FY25 PAT +30.7% to ₹2,508 cr; final dividend of ₹7/sh; Q4 PAT 2% lower at ₹510 cr on higher total income of ₹5,851 cr.
• Swiggy: MoU with Labour Ministry to create 1.2 mn gig/logistics jobs via NCS portal within 2–3 years.
• JSW Steel: ₹50,000 cr+ investment for 10 mtpa green-steel capacity in Salav within 3–4 years.
• PB Fintech: Subsidiary PB Pay gets RBI payment-aggregator licence.
• TCS: Andhra Pradesh to dispose of 21.16 acres in Visakhapatnam for ₹0.99; TCS to invest ₹1,370 cr and create 12,000 jobs.
• Cairn Oil & Gas (Vedanta): Awards 7 new Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) Round IX blocks (4 onshore, 3 shallow water); portfolio is now 69 blocks.
• Oil India: Acquires 9 OALP Round IX blocks (6 sole, 3 consortium); exploration acreage increases from 60,000 to 110,000 sq km (+85%).
• Max India: Board approves up to ₹125 cr rights-issue equity raise.

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