Sensex and Nifty End Bearish Amid Global Economic Concerns: Sensex up by 318 points, Nifty up by 105.10

The Indian stock market faced a bearish close on Thursday, March 27, 2025, with both Sensex and Nifty succumbing to selling pressure amid mounting concerns over global economic prospects, geopolitical tensions, and trade-related uncertainties.

Market Wrap-Up

• The BSE Sensex closed with 317.93 points (0.41%), settling at 77,606.43.
• The NSE Nifty 50 ended by increasing 105.10 points (0.45%), closing at 23,591.95.

The markets experienced a broad-based sell-off as investor confidence waned amid negative global cues.

Key Market Influencers

• Global Headwinds: Lingering concerns over trade wars, geopolitical risks, and uncertainties surrounding global economic growth significantly impacted market sentiment.
• Rupee Depreciation: A weaker rupee further fueled selling pressure.
• Sectoral Downturn: The bearish sentiment was widespread, with most sectors ending in the red.

Gaining Stocks

• Hero MotoCorp (HEROMOTOCO) – LTP: ₹3,760.00 (+3.13%)
  
  
• Bajaj Finserv (BAJAJFINSV) – LTP: ₹1,999.00 (+2.86%)
  
  
• IndusInd Bank (INDUSINDBK) – LTP: ₹673.50 ( +2.78%)
  
  
• NTPC – LTP: ₹364.00  (+2.64%)
  
  
• BPCL – LTP: ₹279.00 (+2.19%)
  
  
• Adani Enterprises (ADANIENT) – LTP: ₹2,363.00 (+2.18%)
  
  
• HDFC Life (HDFCLIFE) – LTP: ₹682.00 (+2.03%)
  
  
• Larsen & Toubro (LT) – LTP: ₹3,510.05 (+1.90%)
  
  
• Tata Consumer (TATACONSUM) – LTP: ₹977.45 (+1.85%)
• Trent – LTP: ₹5,415.00 (+1.75%)

Losing Stocks

• Tata Motors (TATAMOTORS) – LTP: ₹669.50 (-5.47%)
  
  
• Sun Pharma (SUNPHARMA) – LTP: ₹1,734.35 (-1.40%)
  
  
• Eicher Motors (EICHERMOT) – LTP: ₹5,347.00 (-1.04%)
  
  
• Apollo Hospitals (APOLLOHOSP) – LTP: ₹6,470.00 (-0.76%)
  
  
• Bharti Airtel (BHARTIARTL) – LTP: ₹1,726.00 (-0.72%)
  
  
• Kotak Mahindra Bank (KOTAKBANK) – LTP: ₹2,135.45 (-0.39%)
  
  
• Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) – LTP: ₹2,734.00 (-0.30%)
  
  
• Tata Steel (TATASTEEL) – LTP: ₹155.36 (-0.29%)
  
  
• Maruti Suzuki (MARUTI) – LTP: ₹11,700.00 (-0.29%)
  
  
• Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (DRREDDY) – LTP: ₹1,161.40 (-0.27%)

Market Breadth

The market witnessed broad-based selling, with significantly more stocks declining than advancing, underlining the overall bearish sentiment.

The Indian stock market exhibited cautious trading at midday on Thursday, March 27, 2025, as investors assessed global cues and sectoral performances. The Sensex and Nifty traded within a narrow range, reflecting uncertainty over international trade relations and domestic economic factors.

Mid-day Market Overview

As of 12:00 PM IST, key indices showed the following trends:

• The Sensex was up by 365 points (0.47%) to 77653
• The Nifty 50 was up by 109.80 points (0.46%) to 23,599.50

Global Economic Factors

Global trade tensions weighed on market sentiment as concerns surrounding US tariffs and international trade disputes persisted. These anxieties kept investors watchful and prevented any substantial bullish movement.

Sectoral Performance

• Pharma Sector:
  The pharmaceutical sector displayed resilience, with Sun Pharma emerging as a top gainer. This performance indicated sector-specific positive sentiment, unrelated to the broader market trend.
• Banking and Financials:
  Financial stocks mirrored the market’s overall uncertainty, with ICICI Bank and other significant players displaying mixed performance. The impact of the IndusInd Bank situation, while a sector concern, seemed somewhat contained.
• Auto Sector: The Auto Sector experienced significant turbulence on early Thursday, with the Nifty Index facing a substantial decline of 0.90% in early trading hours, signalling investor concerns about the latest U.S trade policy developments.

Key Stock Movements (Top Gainers)

• Sun Pharma: Led the gains with strong performance as investors piled into Healthcare stocks, resulting in an LTP of ₹1,657.70 and a percentage change of 2.87%.
• Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL): Gained on account of strong sentiment surrounding defence contracts, and strong company management, resulting in an LTP of ₹276.87 and a percentage change of 2.23%.
• BPCL: The recent growth in the stock may be indicative of increased crude oil demand, resulting in an LTP of ₹262.40 and a percentage change of 2.13%.
• Trent: In the face of reduced global business, retailers like Trent are seeing major gains in their ability to sustain their business and profit, thanks to a strong local support resulting in an LTP of ₹4,892.95 and a percentage change of 1.94%.
• ICICI Bank: The top banking stock is seeing a recovery, resulting in an LTP of ₹1,238.20 and a percentage change of 1.92%.
• Indusind Bank: The share price of the bank increased +0.13% to ₹656.30 as compared to LTP of ₹655.30.
• Bank of Baroda: The share price of the bank increased +3.2% to ₹226.99 as compared to LTP of ₹220.34
• Adani Energy Solutions: The share price increased +3.2% to ₹226.99 as compared to LTP of ₹220.34
• Hero Motorcorp: The share price increased +4.07% to ₹836.45 as compared to LTP of ₹803.00
• GAIL: The share price increased +2.72% to ₹178.80 as compared to LTP of ₹174.07
• BSE: The share price of bank increased +3.83% to ₹4645.95 as compared to LTP of ₹4474.70
• HUDCO: The share price increased +2.79% to ₹202.21 as compared to LTP of ₹196.72
• Aadhar Housing Finance: The share price increased +4.15% to ₹420 as compared to LTP of ₹403.25
• Tejas Networks: The share price increased +2.66% to ₹768.60 as compared to LTP of ₹748.65
• Ramco Cements: The share price increased +3.34% to ₹879 as compared to LTP of ₹852.15

Key Stock Movements (Top Losers)

• Infosys: The global slowdown in tech is impacting Infosys resulting in an LTP of ₹1,651.45 and a percentage change of -2.94%.
• Bajaj Finserv: Despite being a strong name in the finance industry, the sector and reduced global presence has seen negative gains, resulting in an LTP of ₹1,802.35 and a percentage change of -2.06%.
• M&M: Even a strong player like Mahindra & Mahindra is falling into the market pressures, resulting in an LTP of ₹2,653.20 and a percentage change of -1.83%.
• Tata Motors: The shares of Tata Motors dropped by 6% after the news of 25% tariff on the auto sector. The  share price of the company is trading at ₹ 668.60 from LTP of ₹708.25.
• Crompton Greaves: The company also faced a decline of -2.72% in its share price. The company is currently trading at ₹350.30 from LTP of 360.10.
• AU Small Finance Bank: The bank saw a decline of -3.79% in its share price. The company is currently trading at ₹552.00 from LTP of ₹573.75
• Bajaj Holdings: The company saw a decline of -2.77% in its share price. The company is currently trading at ₹12,249.45 from LTP of ₹12,599.05.
• Market Sentiment and Potential Trends

The market mood seems to lean toward caution, heavily influenced by prevailing global headwinds. Investors are closely watching developments in international trade discussions and any hints on shifts in economic policies.

Advice For Market Traders

With the above in mind, it's important to trade carefully and consider a diversified portfolio, as many of the stocks appear to have potential for great losses and or gains, depending on where the next news break is.

Conclusion

Midday trading on March 27, 2025, showed a hesitant Indian market. As the day progresses, trading activity may react to any fresh global economic indicators or news releases that may affect the mood and direction of key indices.

Market Open

Indian benchmark equity indices opened on a subdued note Thursday, as the global market weakness triggered by US tariffs on auto imports set the tone. At the opening, the BSE Sensex was down by 2011.11 points from its previous close of 77,288.50 when markets opened at 77,087.39 while the Nifty50 opened 52.90 points lower at 23,433.95. While US President Donald Trump is scheduled to sign a 25% tariff on all cars not made in the US on April 3, which will be collected the next day, Indian markets will debut ‘global softness’, apart from the Nifty F&O monthly expiry, FII activity, including the semi-annual rejig of NSE indices.

Factors Influencing Market Sentiment

• US Tariffs: A 25% tariff is expected to be imposed by US President Donald Trump on all imported vehicles and foreign-made auto parts with effect from April 3, 2025. With this move, the White House hopes to increase domestic manufacturing, though it may put a financial strain on automakers dependent on global supply chains.
• Asia Markets: Asian markets were down after the United States imposed new import duties. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.15% to 37,585, the Asia Dow lost 0.13% to 3,722.29, the South Korean Kospi decreased 0.90% to 2,620, and the Shanghai Composite was off 0.16% to 3,363.
• FII Buying: For the fifth consecutive session, foreign institutional investors remained net buyers. In March, their net purchases amounted to Rs 21,377.38 crore, suggesting a turnaround from the earlier five-month phase where they were net sellers of over Rs 3 lakh crore in the cash market.

Global Backdrop:

• US Dollar: The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the dollar’s strength against a basket of six major foreign currencies, edged lower by 0.09 percent to 104.46 in the morning trade on Wednesday. The rupee, on the other hand, strengthened a little, ending March 26 at 85.71 per dollar, a 0.07% daily appreciation.

• Gold Rate Today: The 24-carat gold today is selling at ₹88,100 per 10 gram, close to it's all-time high of ₹89,140. The price of gold has decreased by 1.16% over the past week, but is up by 2.62% from the past month. Besides, the 22 kt gold price is at ₹80,758 per 10 grams and 18-carat gold is selling at ₹66,075 per 10 grams.

• Crude Oil: Prices for crude oil were 0.10% higher at 69.71 WTI crude on Wednesday. Likewise, Brent crude at $73.85 was up 0.07%.

Stocks in Focus:

• Wipro: Inks 10-year strategic pact valued at £500 million with Phoenix Group to manage life and pension administration for ReAssure.
• Bharat Forge: Signed MoUs with Ministry of Defence to supply ATAGS and 6x6 gun towing vehicles valued at ₹6,900 crore.
• BSE: To meet the board on March 30 to approve bonus shares.
• Vedanta | Appointed Rajiv Kumar as CEO of its Aluminium Business, effective March 26.
• Hindustan Unilever: Appointed Rajneet Kohli, Executive Director of Foods, effective April 7; replaces Shiva Krishnamurthy.
• Maruti Suzuki India: Elevated its first Indian employee, Sunil Kakkar, as a whole-time director.
• IHCL: Investment 9 million dollar in the Dutch subsidiary IHOCO BV of the company to fund the debt repayment of its US based subsidiary and general corporate purposes.
• NBCC — Signed an MoU with MAHAPREIT for ₹25,000 crore worth joint projects.
• Ashok Leyland (Switch Mobility): Intending to shut production and assembly activities at its Sherburn plant.
• Torrent Power: Sold their 100% equity shares of ten subsidiaries to Torrent Green Energy for ₹474.26 crore.
• Piramal Enterprises: Undertook a ₹600 crore rights issue to its subsidiary Piramal Finance.
• Sunteck Realty: To invest $10-20 million through its Sunteck Lifestyle International arm in a project in Dubai.
• Wyre: Collaborated with Sterlite Technologies for the FTTH network development project in Belgium.
• Shell Energy India: Inks 5-year RLNG supply contract with IRM Energy.
• TVS Supply Chain Solutions: Up to ₹250 crore to restructure its overseas subsidiaries.

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