Sensex and Nifty Closing Updates, 21 April, 2025: Sensex up by 855 points, Nifty up by 273.9 Points

Monday, 21st April 2025, witnessed a significant rally in the Indian equity benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty. Strong buying in heavyweight stocks, particularly HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank following their earnings announcements, along with sustained foreign fund inflows, fuelled this positive momentum. The Nifty closed above the 24,100 mark, settling at 24,125.55, a gain of 273.9 points. The Sensex also reclaimed the 79,000 level, closing at 79,408.50 gaining 855 points higher or 1.09%.

Banking Sector Leads the Charge

The banking sector played a crucial role in this market surge. The Nifty Bank index hit a new all-time high above 55,000, driven by the impressive Q4 earnings reported by private sector giants HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank. ICICI Bank's shares surged by 2% after reporting an 18% year-on-year rise in Q4 profit, reaching a 52-week high. HDFC Bank also saw positive sentiment following its Q4FY25 performance, with Nuvama upgrading its rating to "Buy" and increasing the target price. Yes Bank shares also rallied by 4.15% on a reported 63% year-on-year jump in PAT.

Broad Market Gains and Key Performers

The positive sentiment extended beyond the banking sector. On the Sensex, top gainers included Tech Mahindra (up 5.14%) and Trent (up 4.32%), along with Axis Bank, Infosys, State Bank of India, and IndusInd Bank. Notably, Infosys shares surged 2.08% despite a reported 12% year-on-year decline in Q4 profit. Conversely, Adani Ports, ITC, Bharti Airtel, Titan, Hindustan Unilever, and Sun Pharma were among the notable laggards. The advance-decline ratio in the market favoured buyers.

Rupee Strengthens on Weakening Dollar

The Indian rupee also benefited from global cues, rising by 0.3% to ₹85.1275/USD, hitting a two-week high. This strengthening was supported by a weakening US dollar, which fell to a three-year low as the dollar index reached 97.9. US President Trump's criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Powell contributed to this dollar weakness, raising concerns about central bank independence. Foreign bank inflows further supported the rupee, and the Reserve Bank of India was likely absorbing dollars. India's FOREX reserves reached $677.8 billion.

Gold Soars to Record Highs

Mirroring the dollar's weakness, gold prices surged to record highs. Gold neared the Rs 1 lakh mark, reaching ₹96,875 on MCX, with prices up 26% in 2025. COMEX gold also surged to $3,397. Silver followed suit, gaining 10% year-to-date to ₹ 95,630 per kg. The weak dollar and ongoing US-China trade tensions boosted gold's safe-haven appeal.

Global and Domestic Factors at Play

Several factors contributed to this market rally. Strong earnings from major lenders were a key domestic trigger. Globally, a weaker US dollar provided a supportive backdrop. There's also a noted shift of investors from US stocks to emerging markets like India and Brazil, with Indian markets outperforming global peers with a 6% weekly gain. This capital shift may boost growth and markets in emerging economies.

Current Market Update

• The Sensex is up by 1046.52 points, trading at 79,605.04, reflecting gains of about 1.34%.
• The Nifty 50 index is trading above 24,000 at 24,182.50 up by 331.95 points, or 1.38%.

Top Gainers of the Market

1.IndusInd Bank (INDUSINDBK)

• Opening Price: ₹802.00
• Current Market Price (CMP): ₹837.20
• % Change: +5.35%
  
  IndusInd Bank share prices surged 5.35% to ₹837.20, leading the market rally. The sharp gain was fueled by strong Q4 earnings and a reassuring audit report that revealed a smaller-than-expected impact of ₹1,979 crore on its derivative portfolio, translating to a 2.27% post-tax reduction in net worth, better than earlier estimates. The bank’s transparency and swift disclosure of the issue boosted investor confidence.

2. Tech Mahindra (TECHM)

• Opening Price: ₹1,304.00
  
• Current Market Price (CMP): ₹1,354.80
  
• % Change: +3.67%
  
  Tech Mahindra shares gained momentum, trading at ₹1,354.80, after announcing a strategic focus on AI and digital transformation services. Positive analyst outlooks on margin expansion and recent bullish technical signals further supported the stock’s rise.

3. Axis Bank (AXISBANK)

• Opening Price: ₹1,202.00
  
• Current Market Price (CMP): ₹1,231.90
  
• % Change: +3.45%
  
  Axis Bank share prices climbed to ₹1,231.90 on expectations of better-than-expected earnings and improving credit quality, particularly in retail and SME segments. The bank’s strong deposit growth and improving asset quality underpinned investor optimism.

4. Bajaj Finserv (BAJAJFINSV)

• Opening Price: ₹2,037.10
  
• Current Market Price (CMP): ₹2,098.50
  
• % Change: +3.11%
  
  Bajaj Finserv share prices surged to ₹2,098.50 amid strong quarterly results and bullish sentiment around consumer finance growth and insurance sector expansion. The company’s recent acquisition of Allianz’s stake in its insurance JVs has strengthened its growth outlook.

5. State Bank of India (SBIN)

• Opening Price: ₹803.00
  
• Current Market Price (CMP): ₹820.90
  
• % Change: +2.91%
  
  SBI’s shares rose to ₹820.90, supported by stable asset quality, government capex push, and consistent loan growth. The bank’s diversified portfolio and strong market position continue to attract investors.

Top Losers of the Market

1. Adani Ports (ADANIPORTS)

• Opening Price: ₹1,259.40
  
• Current Market Price (CMP): ₹1,227.10
  
• % Change: -2.56%
  
  Adani Ports shares declined to ₹1,227.10 due to weak shipping traffic data and concerns over a global trade slowdown. Also, Nuvama Wealth Management noted that the company's all-share deal to buy Abbot Point Port is potentially diluting its earnings per share.

2. HDFC Life Insurance (HDFCLIFE)

• Opening Price: ₹725.00
  
• Current Market Price (CMP): ₹708.85
  
• % Change: -1.56%
  
  HDFC Life share prices dropped to ₹708.85 amid muted growth in new premium collections and rising competition from peers offering more attractive products. The slowdown in sales performance tempered investor enthusiasm.

3. ITC

• Opening Price: ₹428.05
  
• Current Market Price (CMP): ₹422.00
  
• % Change: -1.23%
  
  ITC shares slipped to ₹422 given ongoing urban slowdown, inflation in key raw materials and concerns over weak profitability in FMCG and paperboards, paper & packaging segment.

4. Hindustan Unilever (HINDUNILVR)

• Opening Price: ₹2,368.10
  
• Current Market Price (CMP): ₹2,351.40
  
• % Change: -0.99%
  
  HUL shares traded at ₹2,351.40, pressured by rural demand challenges and margin pressures despite stable revenue. Investors await clarity on pricing strategies to navigate cost inflation.

5. Nestle India (NESTLEIND)

• Opening Price: ₹2,401.00
  
• Current Market Price (CMP): ₹2,402.20
  
• % Change: -0.59%
  
  Nestlé India saw minor decline and is trading at ₹2,402.20 after a strong rally last week. The slight pullback was driven by overbought technical signals and cautious outlooks on volume growth.

Market Open

On Monday’s opening bell, the BSE Sensex jumped 349.89 points (0.45%) to 78,903.09, while the Nifty50 gained 97.50 points (0.41%), trading at 23,949.15.

Factors Influencing Market Sentiment

• Global Markets: On Monday morning, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.74%, and South Korea's Kospi rose 0.50%. Australia and Hong Kong markets are closed today for the Easter holiday.
• US Futures: US futures declined around 0.5% on the S&P 500, Nasdaq‑100 and Dow Jones following a statement by former President Donald Trump that Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's ouster "couldn't come fast enough." His statement followed Powell warning that Trump's trade practices could throw the Fed's target of 2% inflation off track.
• Q4 Earnings Today: Over 100 companies are due to release March-quarter numbers this week. Today's list includes Alok Industries, Anant Raj, Birla Money, GNA Axles, Himadri Speciality Chemical, International Gemmological Institute India, Indag Rubber, Lotus Chocolate Company, Mahindra Logistics, Pitti Engineering, Purple Finance, Rajratan Global Wire, Shekhawati Industries, Shilchar Technologies, Siel Financial Services and Tata Investment Corporation.

Global Backdrop:

• US Dollar: In the morning, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the performance of the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, fell 0.18% to 98.61. This measure, which is composed of the British pound, euro, Swedish krona, Japanese yen and Swiss franc, gives a general sense of the dollar's overall strength. Meanwhile, the Indian rupee rose 0.37%, closing April 17 at ₹85.37 against the dollar.
• Gold Rate Today: Domestic gold remained on a roll, moving closer to the ₹1 lakh level per 10 g. On Tuesday, 24-carat gold jumped 2.14% week-on-week to a historic high of ₹95,440 per 10 g, and is now up 8.2% in the last month. 22-carat gold is at ₹87,487 per 10 g, and 18-carat is at ₹71,580.
• Crude Oil: Oil prices fell on Friday, and by Monday morning WTI crude had fallen 1.80% to $63.51 a barrel. Brent crude also fell, down 1.72% to $66.79 a barrel.

Stocks in Focus:

• HDFC Bank: Q4 FY25 standalone net profit ₹17,616 Cr (+6.7% YoY); NII ₹32,066 Cr (+10%); NIM 3.54%; final dividend ₹22/share.
• ICICI Bank: Q4 FY25 consolidated net profit ₹13,502 Cr (vs. ₹11,672 Cr); standalone ₹12,630 Cr (+18% YoY); NII ₹21,193 Cr (+11%); NIM 4.41%; dividend ₹11/share.
• YES Bank: Q4 net profit ₹738 Cr (+63.3% YoY); NII ₹2,276 Cr (+5.7%).
• Infosys: Q4 FY25 net profit ₹7,033 Cr (–12% YoY); revenue ₹40,928 Cr (+7.9%); final dividend ₹22/share.
• Tata Elxsi: Q4 net profit ₹172 Cr (–13% QoQ); revenue ₹908 Cr (–3.3% QoQ); dividend ₹75/share.
• TCS: Partnering with Vianai Systems to roll out generative AI decision‑making tools.
• JSW Energy: Over 60% of its 20 GW-by‑2030 target achieved (3.6 GW added in FY25); reviewing capacity plans with major capex for new Bengal project and pumped storage.
• BHEL: FY25 provisional revenue ₹27,350 Cr (+19% YoY); record annual order inflows ₹92,534 Cr.
• Gensol Engineering: In late‑stage talks to acquire BluSmart (~₹850 Cr); MCA has initiated suo moto inquiry into its accounts.
• South Eastern Coalfields Ltd: Signed ₹7,040 Cr deal with TMC Mineral for large‑scale coal production using paste‑fill technology.
• Jio Financial Services: Q4 FY25 net profit ₹316 Cr (+1.8% YoY); total income ₹518 Cr (+24%).
• Prestige Estates Projects: Launched 26.28 million square feet in FY25 (GDV ₹26,222.8 Cr); plans to double residential launches in FY26.
• Adani Ports: Acquired an Australian coal export terminal in a $2.4 bn non‑cash deal.
• ABB India: Parent to spin off its Robotics arm for a separate Q2 2026 listing.

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