Indian benchmarks reversed early gains and finished Tuesday’s session lower, extending the previous day’s weakness. The BSE Sensex closed at around 82,029.98 (down 297.07 points, ‑0.36 %), while the NSE Nifty 50 ended near 25,145.50 (down 81.85 points, ‑0.32 %). After opening firm, profit‑booking and cautious sentiment ahead of the ongoing results season pulled the indices lower. Broader indices underperformed; the Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 lost roughly 0.75 % and 0.89 % respectively. Volatility remained subdued with India VIX around 11 levels, suggesting range‑bound trading.
Major Indices (Closing values)
| Index | 14 Oct 2025 Close | Change (pts) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSE Sensex | 82 029.98 | −297.07 | −0.36 % |
| NSE Nifty 50 | 25 145.50 | −81.85 | −0.32 % |
| Nifty Bank | 56 478.55 | −146.45 | −0.26 % |
| India VIX | ~11.0 | — | ▲ 0.0 % (flat) |
Note: Mid‑cap and small‑cap indices finished noticeably weaker than large‑caps, reflecting broader profit‑taking.
Sectoral Performance
All sectoral indices on the NSE ended in the red. The PSU Bank, Consumer Durables and Media indices led the fall, each slipping roughly 1 %–1.5 %. Metal, Oil & Gas, Realty, FMCG, IT, Auto and Pharma indices declined up to 1 %. Slight relative strength came from IT and Oil & Gas shares thanks to positive earnings at HCL Technologies and firmness in crude prices, but it wasn’t enough to offset selling across broader sectors.
| Sector | Performance (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PSU Bank | ↓ 1.5 % | Profit‑taking after recent rally |
| Consumer Durables | ↓ ~1 % | Weak discretionary demand signals |
| Media | ↓ ~1 % | Broad‑based selling |
| Metal & Mining | ↓ 0.9 % | Weighed down by Tata Steel and JSW Steel |
| Oil & Gas | ↓ 1 % | Declines in ONGC and oil marketing companies |
| IT | Slightly negative | HCL Tech gains cushioned the fall |
| FMCG & Pharma | Moderately lower | Inflation concerns and profit‑taking |
| Auto, Realty & Energy | Soft | Cautious tone ahead of more earnings |
Key Statistics and Market Breadth
- FII/DII flows: Foreign institutional investors were net sellers (about ₹240 crore on the previous day), while domestic institutions remained supportive with purchases exceeding ₹2 300 crore. Domestic buying continues to cushion the market despite foreign outflows.
- Market breadth: On the BSE, only ~1 325 stocks advanced while ~2 880 declined, reflecting broad‑based weakness. More than 150 stocks hit 52‑week lows, highlighting pressure in mid‑ and small‑caps.
- Rupee: The Indian rupee opened slightly weaker around ₹88.74 per US dollar and stayed range‑bound.
- Commodity check: WTI crude hovered near US$59.7/barrel (up marginally), while domestic gold prices were stable around ₹11 765 per 10 grams (22‑carat).
Top Gainers and Losers (Nifty 50)
| Top Gainers | Price (₹) | % change | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wipro | ~248.8 | +1.49 % | IT stocks benefited from positive earnings sentiment; Wipro was the biggest gainer. |
| Max Healthcare | ~1 159.1 | +1.38 % | Healthcare stocks attracted buying interest. |
| Tech Mahindra | ~1 468 | ≈ +1.2 % | Gains post‑earnings; expectation of strong deal wins. |
| HCL Technologies | ~1 518 | ≈ +1.1 % | Reported sequential revenue growth and announced ₹12 interim dividend. |
| ICICI Bank / HUL / Power Grid | — | +0.5 % to +1 % | Select heavyweights closed mildly higher, lending some support. |
| Top Losers | Price (₹) | % change | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bajaj Finance | ~1 015.4 | –2.06 % | Profit‑booking after sharp run; contributed heavily to Sensex fall. |
| Tata Steel | ~169.8 | –1.87 % | Metals sold off amid weak global commodity cues. |
| Bharat Electronics (BEL) | ~159 | –1.76 % | Declines following profit‑taking in PSU stocks. |
| Trent | ~3 100 | –1.68 % | Retail major retreated after strong recent gains. |
| TCS / Asian Paints / Dr Reddy’s Labs | — | –1.5 % to –2 % | Earnings worries and weak sectoral trends weighed. |
| Tata Motors | — | down sharply due to stock trading ex‑demerger; not a fundamental decline. |
Note: The Nifty 50 saw nearly all constituents in the red. Stocks such as Max Healthcare, Apollo Hospitals and HCL Tech bucked the trend, while Tata Motors’ notional 40 % drop was due to its commercial vehicles unit’s de‑merger.
What Moved the Market
- Profit‑booking & caution ahead of earnings: Early gains evaporated as traders locked in profits amid a subdued start to the Q2 FY26 earnings season. Weaker‑than‑expected September inflation data sparked concerns about consumer demand and margins, further dampening sentiment.
- Mixed global cues: U.S. indices rallied overnight (Nasdaq +2.2 %, S&P 500 +1.5 %), but European markets traded lower on renewed U.S.–China trade tensions. Asian markets were mixed, with Japan’s Nikkei down sharply and China’s Shanghai Composite slightly higher. The caution spilled over to Indian equities.
- Sectoral rotation: Buying interest in IT stocks following HCL Tech’s strong results was offset by selling in metals, banks and consumer sectors. The PSU Bank index, which has been an outperformer, saw profit‑taking. Mid‑ and small‑cap stocks witnessed deeper cuts as investors trimmed risk exposure.
- FII outflows: Continued net selling by foreign portfolio investors and a slightly weaker rupee kept pressure on equities despite strong domestic institutional inflows.
- New listings: LG Electronics India made a spectacular debut, listing at nearly a 50 % premium to its IPO price and briefly buoying sentiment. However, its pop could not outweigh the broad‑based selling.
Global Cues
- US Markets: A rebound in technology stocks drove the Nasdaq (+2.2 %) and S&P 500 (+1.5 %) higher overnight. However, Dow Futures were down around 0.5 % on Tuesday afternoon, signalling caution ahead of key macro data.
- Europe: Major indices fell (FTSE –0.24 %, CAC –0.75 %, DAX –0.93 %) on trade‑related tensions and disappointing corporate updates. Concerns over rare earth supply disruptions and profit warnings from European manufacturers pressured sentiment.
- Asia: Japan’s Nikkei dropped over 1.6 % as the yen strengthened and investors took profits. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped 0.2 %, while Shanghai Composite eked out a small gain (+0.2 %).
- Commodities & Currency: WTI crude edged up to ~US$59.7/bbl. Gold remained firm around US$2 350/oz as investors sought safety. The US dollar index eased slightly, but the rupee still traded near 88.7 per USD.
Stocks to Watch & Corporate Updates
| Stock / Event | Update |
|---|---|
| HCL Technologies | Reported Q2 revenue of ₹31,942 cr (up 5 % QoQ, 11 % YoY) and announced an interim dividend of ₹12 per share. Strong services growth and robust deal pipeline boosted sentiment. |
| RBL Bank | Media reports indicated that Emirates NBD is in advanced talks to acquire over a 51 % stake, signalling consolidation in the banking sector. |
| KEC International | Secured new transmission and distribution orders worth ₹1 174 cr across India and the Middle East, taking YTD order intake to about ₹14 000 cr. |
| Anand Rathi Wealth | Posted a 30.5 % YoY rise in Q2 FY26 net profit to ₹99 cr due to strong client additions; shares rallied earlier in the session. |
| ONGC | Plans to launch oil‑trading operations next fiscal year through a JV with an international partner, aiming to generate up to US$1 bn in annual profits. |
| Max Healthcare / Apollo Hospitals | Among top gainers; healthcare stocks attracted defensive buying. |
| Tata Motors | The stock fell sharply in price after the commercial vehicles business de‑merger; investors should note that the decline reflects a technical adjustment rather than a fundamental sell‑off. |
| LG Electronics India IPO | The company debuted with a 45–50 % premium over its issue price, raising ~₹11.6 bn and becoming the most subscribed major IPO since 2008. |
| Lotus Chocolate, IREDA, Apis India, Tata Investment, TCS & Google Cloud | Trade‑brains reports showed varied corporate actions: Lotus Chocolate tumbled despite higher sales, IREDA posted strong Q2 profits, Apis India announced a 24:1 bonus issue, Tata Investment completed a 1:10 stock split, and TCS deepened collaboration with Google Cloud to integrate AI solutions. |
These updates suggest selective opportunities in sectors such as IT services, infrastructure, renewable energy and healthcare.
Technical Levels & Outlook for Tomorrow (15 Oct 2025)
- Key levels: Derivatives data indicate more call writing than put writing near 25 300–25 400 on the Nifty. This zone will act as immediate resistance. On the downside, 25 000 is key support. A decisive break below 25 000 may trigger further downside towards 24 850–24 700, while a sustained move above 25 300 could revive bullish momentum.
- Bank Nifty: Support lies near 56 000, with resistance around 56 800–57 000. Sustained selling in PSU and private banks could drag the index towards 55 500; however, any recovery in banking heavyweights could stabilise it above 56 500.
- Tone for next trading day: Markets are expected to remain range‑bound with a negative bias. Investors will monitor Q2 earnings announcements and global macro data (US inflation, China’s trade numbers). With volatility still low, the market may consolidate between 25 000–25 300 on the Nifty and 81 500–82 500 on the Sensex. Any positive surprise from corporate results or easing global tensions could trigger short‑covering, while disappointments may prompt further profit‑booking. Traders should maintain a cautiously bullish stance above 25 000, but be prepared for volatility near resistance levels.
Summary
The Indian market saw its second straight decline as traders booked profits ahead of key earnings and amid mixed global cues. Although IT stocks offered some respite, broad‑based selling in metals, banks and consumer sectors dragged both the Sensex and Nifty lower. Foreign investor selling persisted, while domestic institutional buying limited the fall. Global markets remained cautious due to trade tensions and geopolitical risks. Going into the next session, technical levels suggest a tight range between 25 000 and 25 300 on the Nifty. Investors should focus on Q2 results, global macro data and sector‑specific developments for direction.
