It was a quiet but steady day on Dalal Street as the Indian stock market managed to close in the green, shrugging off lingering concerns around global trade tensions and upcoming policy events. The Sensex rose by a modest 0.16 percent to close at 81,465.28, while the Nifty inched up 0.18 percent to settle at 24,855.05. Though the gains were marginal, the indices managed to hold ground despite a cloud of uncertainty overhanging the markets.
Throughout the session, the Nifty remained trapped in a narrow range, reflecting investor indecisiveness and caution. The flat opening and sideways movement were largely influenced by global headlines, especially the recent statement by US President Donald Trump regarding potential tariffs on Indian goods. The tariff issue has cast a shadow on market sentiment, with traders hesitant to take bold positions ahead of further clarity.
Adding to the global anxiety was the anticipation surrounding the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee meeting. While no change in interest rates is expected, investors are closely watching the commentary from the US Federal Reserve for cues on future monetary policy. Given the recent economic signals, any mention of inflation trends, liquidity measures, or rate outlook could trigger market reactions in the days ahead.
Back home, the market saw a mixed performance across sectors. The Nifty Bank index dipped slightly by 0.13 percent, ending at 56,150. Bank stocks were under pressure as concerns around global capital flows and currency volatility weighed on sentiment. However, other sectors offered a more positive narrative.
Engineering giant Larsen and Toubro emerged as the top gainer of the day, surging nearly 5 percent following strong institutional buying and optimism over recent project wins. The company’s momentum continued to fuel optimism across capital goods and infrastructure segments. Sun Pharma, Maruti, NTPC, and Trent also posted healthy gains in the range of one to two percent, supporting the overall index.
On the losing side, Tata Motors saw a steep drop of nearly 3 percent after reports surfaced about a potential large-scale acquisition in Europe. The market appeared wary of the financial implications of such a deal, especially in the current economic climate. Other notable laggards included PowerGrid, Bajaj Finserv, Hindustan Unilever, and Kotak Bank.
Among sectoral trends, the retail space led the charge with a sharp 3.6 percent increase in market capitalisation, driven by a surge in demand forecasts and institutional activity. Rubber stocks followed closely with a gain of 2.52 percent, while fertilisers and electric equipment sectors also ended higher, rising over 2 percent each.
The market also saw varied performance among business groups. Nagarjuna Group posted the highest gain, with a 4.66 percent rise in market value. L&T Group maintained its strong upward trajectory with a 3.38 percent gain. CK Birla Group and Jaipuria Group also recorded healthy advances. On the flip side, Pennar Group witnessed the steepest fall, losing 7.37 percent of its market cap. MP Birla Group and Anil Ambani Group followed with declines of over 3 percent.
While today’s session was marked by restrained optimism and cautious positioning, the overall market resilience remains noteworthy. Despite headwinds from the global trade environment and local macroeconomic uncertainties, investor appetite is holding up, particularly in select pockets that are backed by strong fundamentals or positive news flows.
With key events on the horizon, including updates on US trade policy and domestic earnings season, the coming sessions are expected to remain volatile. Investors are advised to tread carefully, stay updated, and focus on sectors that offer visibility and earnings stability.
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