Sensex and Nifty Closing Updates, 28 March, 2025: Sensex down by 191 points, Nifty down by 72.60 points

On March 28, 2025, the Indian stock markets concluded the fiscal year on a subdued note, with both the BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty 50 indices registering declines.​

Market Performance:

• BSE Sensex: Closed at 77,414.92 down by 191.51 points (-0.25%).​
  
  
• NSE Nifty 50: Ended at 23,519.35, down by 72.60 points (-0.31%).​
  

Sectoral Highlights:

• Information Technology (IT): The Nifty IT index dropped by 1.76%, with major players like Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys experiencing declines of 1.29% and 2.15%, respectively. This downturn is attributed to concerns over impending U.S. tariffs affecting the sector.​
  
  
• Automobiles: The Nifty Auto index fell by 1.03%, marking a 5-day decline of over 2.2%. The sector's sensitivity to international trade policies has made it particularly vulnerable to tariff-related anxieties.
  
  
• Pharmaceuticals: The Nifty Pharma index decreased by 0.65%, reflecting apprehensions about the potential impact of U.S. tariffs on pharmaceutical exports.​
  

Notable Stock Movements:

• BSE Ltd.: Contrary to the broader market trend, shares of BSE Ltd. surged by 16% ahead of board meeting to consider bonus share issue. This uptick also follows NSE’s decision to defer its plan to change the expiry date of its contracts from Thursday to Monday following SEBI’s consultation paper released on Thursday.
  

Investor Sentiment

The market's cautious stance is largely due to uncertainties surrounding the U.S. administration's plan to implement reciprocal tariffs starting April 2, 2025. Trump’s announcement yesterday saying he is planning more tariffs on April 2nd has further cast a shadow over sectors heavily reliant on exports, prompting investors to adopt a risk-averse approach. ​

Conclusion

As the fiscal year draws to a close, the Indian stock markets - after a tumultuous last few months - reflect a blend of resilience and caution. While certain sectors face headwinds due to global trade tensions, the return of FIIs and RBI’s measures to boost liquidity offer pockets of optimism. Investors are advised to stay informed and consider sector-specific dynamics when making investment decisions.

Market Current Status

As of 12:00 PM on March 28, 2025, Indian stock markets exhibited mixed performance, with the benchmark indices showing marginal movements.​

Sensex Performance:

• Current Level: 77,569.35, down by 37.08 points or 0.05%
  

Nifty 50 Performance:

• Current Level: Around 23,589, low by 0.01%

Top Gainers of the Market

1. ONGC

• Opening Price: ₹243.44
  
  
• Closing Price (LTP): ₹254.48
  
  
• Percentage Change: +5.08%
  ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) saw the highest gain in the market today, driven by strong crude oil prices and increased investor interest in energy stocks.
  

2. Tata Consumer Products

• Opening Price: ₹975.50
  
  
• Closing Price (LTP): ₹1,005.15
  
  
• Percentage Change: +3.25%

Tata Consumer witnessed a significant rise, likely due to robust demand in the FMCG sector and positive business outlook.

3. Jio Financial Services

• Opening Price: ₹227.18
  
  
• Closing Price (LTP): ₹231.55
  
  
• Percentage Change:+ 2.37%
  Jio Financial shares surged as investors bet on its future expansion in digital lending and fintech innovations.
  

4. Tata Motors

• Opening Price: ₹671.85
  
  
• Closing Price (LTP): ₹681.20
  
  
• Percentage Change: +1.89%
  Tata Motors gained as the company continues to show strength in its EV (Electric Vehicle) segment and JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) performance in global markets.
  

5. Nestlé India

• Opening Price: ₹2,243.05
  
  
• Closing Price (LTP): ₹2,274.35
  
  
• Percentage Change: +1.39%
  Nestlé India benefited from strong consumer demand and potential growth in the premium food and nutrition segment.
  

These companies recorded significant gains, with ONGC leading the chart. Investors remain optimistic about the energy and FMCG sectors, while automobile and financial stocks also showed resilience.

Top Losers of the Market

1. M&M (Mahindra & Mahindra)

• Opening Price: ₹2,735.80
  
  
• Closing Price (LTP): ₹2,653.55
  
  
• Percentage Change: -2.91%
  M&M was the biggest loser in the market, dropping significantly due to concerns over a 25% tariff on the auto sector announced by the US President Donald Trump.
  

2. Shriram Finance

• Opening Price: ₹682.00
  
  
• Closing Price (LTP): ₹662.85
  
  
• Percentage Change: -2.31%
  Shriram Finance witnessed a decline, as the company might be facing selling pressure from a global fund house, while there are concerns over only a moderate improvement in margins despite ease in borrowing costs.
  

3. Power Grid Corporation

• Opening Price: ₹293.20
  
  
• Closing Price (LTP): ₹286.85
  
  
• Percentage Change: -2.16%
  Power Grid shares dropped amid profit booking after a decent rally.
  

4. Wipro

• Opening Price: ₹271.00
  
  
• Closing Price (LTP): ₹267.45
  
  
• Percentage Change: -1.72%
  Wipro's stock fell as investors reacted to weak growth projections in the IT sector and global recession fears affecting outsourcing businesses.
  

5. Hindalco

• Opening Price: ₹690.50
  
  
• Closing Price (LTP): ₹681.40
  
  
• Percentage Change: -1.72%
  Hindalco saw losses due to falling metal prices and uncertainty in global demand for aluminum and other non-ferrous metals.
  

Market Overview

The broader market witnessed selling pressure, with the auto, financial, and IT sectors taking a hit. Investors remained cautious amid economic uncertainties and sector-specific challenges, contributing to a bearish sentiment in today's trading session.

Market Open

The BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty started the last trading day of FY25 on a weaker note, with the BSE Sensex started trading at 77,690.69, up 84.26 points or 0.11%, and the NSE NIFTY opened at 23,600.40, up by 8.45 points or 0.04%. On the other hand, the Nifty MidCap index soared 0.78% while the Nifty SmallCap index surged 1.13% in the broader market. Developments to be watched on Friday also include US President Donald Trump's tariff announcements, Russia-Ukraine ceasefire updates, FII flows, gold prices and the Rupee-Dollar exchange rate.

Factors Influencing Market Sentiment

• US Tariffs: US President Donald Trump set a 25% tariff on all vehicles and foreign-made auto parts entering the United States. The White House pitched this as a step to help spur domestic manufacturing, but it could also add to the financial pressure on automakers who depend on overseas supply chains.
• Asia Markets: Asian markets were still mixed as investors digested news of Trump's 25% tariffs on auto imports. Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed down 2.15% at 36,993, the Asia Dow fell 1.51% to 3,686.45 and South Korea’s Kospi was down 1.34% at 2,572. The Shanghai Composite was little changed at 3,373.74.
• FII Buying: FIIs went from net sellers to net buyers in March, buying about Rs 6,367 crore in cash market after net selling for five months.

Global Backdrop:

• US Dollar: The US Dollar Index, which measures the dollar’s strength against six key rivals, dipped 0.07 per cent to 104.27 on Thursday morning. At the same time, the rupee weakened 0.07%, ending on March 27 at 85.78 to the dollar.

• Gold Rate Today: Gold has been shining with its all-time high of ₹89,140. As of now, the price of 24-carat gold is approximately ₹88,900 per 10 grams. In the last week, the price has risen by 0.81%, and in the last month, by 3.20%. Currently, the price of 22-carat gold is ₹81,492 per 10 grams, while the cost of 18-carat gold stands at ₹66,675.

• Crude Oil: Crude oil prices rose on Thursday. On Thursday morning, WTI crude traded at $69.99, up 0.10%, and Brent crude rose 0.07% to $74.08.

Stocks in Focus:

• BSE Ltd: NSE announces that it will continue with Thursday as the expiry day of derivatives contracts; moves to Monday was announced in April after consultation paper from SEBI.
• Infosys: Signs deal with LKQ Europe to roll out an analytics-enabled HCM solution to 18 countries to enable HR improvement and cost reduction.
• UltraTech Cement: Added new clinker capacity of 3.35 mtpa and 2.7 mtpa cement mill at its Maihar facility; also finished brownfield expansion at its Dhule plant.
• Bharat Electronics (BEL): New orders, valued at ₹1,385 crore, have added to its existing order book of ₹18,415 crore for FY, which also includes contracts for radars, simulators and other defence systems.
• JINDAL STEEL & POWER (JSPL): Won the Saradhapur Jalatap East coal block, adjacent to its Angul steel plant as a successful bidder.
• Max Financial Services: Eight entities purchased a 1.6% stake in the firm, valued at ₹611.60 crore, via an open market deal.
• Asian Paints: Asian Paints (Polymers) Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, was approved to set up a manufacturing facility with a total project cost of ₹2,560 crore; another ₹690 crore capex has been approved.
• BEML: Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation — Signed orders worth ₹405 crore.
• HCL Technologies: Appointed as a Design Solution Partner in Samsung’s Advanced Foundry Ecosystem, and booked additional contracts with partners such as Larsen & Toubro.
• Adani Green Energy: Operationalized 396.7 MW of power projects at Khavda, which had taken its total renewable capacity to 13,487.8 MW.
• Force Motors: Signed a contract with Indian Defence Forces for supply of 2,978 Force Gurkha light vehicles.
• Jio Financial Services: Took over 85 million equity shares in Jio Payments Bank for ₹85 crore, raising its stake to 85.04%, to help with working capital.
• Samvardhana Motherson: Said a 25% US tariff on automobiles is unlikely to have a material impact on its financial performance after the majority of products for the US market are either manufactured locally or compliant with USMCA.

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