Top Indices & Key Stats (Close on 21 Aug 2025)
| Index/Stat | Close | Change (Pts) | % Chg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | 25,050.55 | +69.90 | +0.28% |
| BSE Sensex | 81,857.84 | +213.45 | +0.26% |
| Nifty Bank | 55,698.50 | –166.65 | –0.30% |
| India VIX | ~13.6 | ↑≈2% | Volatility ticked higher |
| FII activity | Net –₹1,100 cr | – | FPIs remained sellers |
| DII activity | Net +₹1,806 cr | – | DIIs bought for 32nd straight session |
| Market breadth | ~1,490 adv / 1,060 decl | – | Positive breadth |
- Sectoral performance: Realty (+3%) and oil & gas indices rallied as investors bet on GST rate rationalisation and government reforms. Pharma and select banks also gained. FMCG and autos slipped mildly, while financials ended mixed.
- Derivatives positioning: Highest call OI at 25,100 and 25,200 strikes signals resistance levels for Nifty; heavy put OI at 25,000 and 24,900 strikes indicates strong support.
Top Gainers & Losers – Nifty 50 (21 Aug 2025)
| Gainers (Nifty 50) | Approx. % chg | Rationale/notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Reddy’s Laboratories | ≈ +2.2 % | Pharmaceutical stock rallied on strong earnings and positive sentiment in healthcare; it also led early trading with ~+1.67 % and supported the index. |
| Cipla | ≈ +1.4 % | Pharma index rose ~1 %; investors bet on upcoming product launches and expectation of supportive Fed commentary that could boost US‑linked revenues. |
| Bajaj Finserv | ≈ +1.3 % | Extended gains as investors rotated into financials; seen as benefiting from GST reforms and stable borrowing costs. |
| Bajaj Finance | ≈ +1.4 % | Buying resumed after recent profit‑taking; strong interest rate outlook aided sentiment. |
| Bharat Electronics (BEL)/SBI Life/ICICI Bank | ≈ +1 % each | BEL rose on fresh orders; SBI Life & ICICI Bank were supported by financials rally and favourable regulatory outlook. |
| Losers (Nifty 50) | Approx. % chg | Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Bajaj Auto | ≈ −2.0 % | Profit‑taking in auto shares; concerns about demand and margin pressures. |
| Coal India | ≈ −1.7 % | Declined as energy sector underperformed; traders booked profits after recent rally. |
| Power Grid Corp | ≈ −1.5 % | Weakness in utilities following tariff‑rate concerns; profit‑taking dragged the stock. |
| Tata Consumer Products | ≈ −1.3 % | FMCG index slipped ~0.6 % amid profit booking; valuations seen rich after recent run‑up. |
| Eternal/Jio Financial Services/Hero MotoCorp | ≈ −1.2 % to −1.5 % | Sentiment remained cautious in select newly listed or discretionary stocks. |
What Moved the Market
- GST & reforms optimism: Reports that the GST Council may rationalise rates ahead of the festive season fuelled broad-based buying. Real-estate companies continued their strong run on hopes of lower GST on homes. Oil & gas stocks benefited from expectations of pricing reforms.
- Ratings boost: S&P’s upgrade of India’s outlook supported sentiment and encouraged local fund inflows.
- Sectoral strength: Realty index surged for a fourth session; oil & gas and pharma indices added ~1–3%. Financials saw stock-specific gains (ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finserv) amid reports of possible GST relief on insurance premiums.
- Macro caution: Traders remained cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium and global central‑bank commentary.
- Individual movers:
- Nazara Tech sank ~23% in two days as the PokerBaazi gaming platform faced regulatory scrutiny.
- Clean Science fell ~9% after promoters signalled a 20 % equity stake sale via block deal.
- Bajaj Finserv gained ~2 % after Jefferies initiated coverage with a positive view.
- India Cements jumped ~3 % because UltraTech Cement planned to sell a 6.5 % stake via offer‑for‑sale.
- Reliance Power and Reliance Infra hit upper circuits for a third day after their renewable-energy forays.
Global Cues
- Wall Street: US stocks fell for a fourth session; the S&P 500 slipped 0.2 %, Nasdaq 100 lost 0.6 %, with traders rotating out of tech after Fed minutes highlighted inflation risks.
- Asia: Nikkei slid 0.6 %, but Kospi and Australia’s ASX 200 gained ~1 % and 0.6 %, respectively. Hang Seng futures rose 0.8 %.
- Commodities: Oil remained firm as US crude inventories fell; WTI hovered around $63/bbl and Brent around $67/bbl. Gold traded above $3,340/oz on safe‑haven demand.
Stocks to Watch / Corporate Updates
- Shree Cement: Income‑tax demand reduced to ₹221.72 cr from ₹588.65 cr.
- UltraTech Cement: Board okayed selling a 6.49 % stake (2.01 cr shares) in India Cements via stock exchange at a floor price of ₹368.
- Jupiter Wagons: Subsidiary received a letter of intent for 5,376 wheelsets for the Vande Bharat train (~₹215 cr order).
- Poonawalla Fincorp: To raise up to ₹500 cr via non‑convertible debentures.
- Exide Industries: Invested an additional ₹100 cr in Exide Energy Solutions, lifting total investment to ₹3,802 cr.
- Tanla Platforms: Completed buyback of 20 lakh shares (₹175 cr).
- PTC India Financial: Signed definitive agreement to transfer management of Vento Power Infra for ₹115.61 cr.
- Cement & energy stocks (Godrej Properties, Thermax, Glenmark Pharma, etc.) announced smaller deals or acquisitions.
- Reliance Industries: Subsidiary TerraTech completed voluntary winding‑up in Texas.
Outlook for Tomorrow (22 Aug 2025)
- Tone: GIFT Nifty signals a flat-to-slightly negative start amid mixed global cues. The domestic rally could pause as indices have run up for six straight sessions; traders may book profits ahead of Jackson Hole speeches. However, optimism around GST reforms and continued domestic inflows should underpin dips.
- Nifty 50: Immediate resistance at 25,100–25,200; a decisive break could open the way toward 25,300. Supports are at 25,000 and 24,900, with deeper support around 24,750–24,600 if profit‑booking intensifies. Indicators are approaching overbought levels, so a consolidation phase is likely.
- Sensex: Key supports lie at 81,500–81,300. Resistance zones are 82,300–82,500, with stronger barrier at 82,600–82,800. Holding above 81,300 keeps the short‑term trend positive.
- Bank Nifty: Underperformed; expect consolidation between 54,800–56,300. Support at 55,600–55,550 (below which 55,400–54,800 opens). Resistance at 55,950–56,000; a breakout above 56,300 would indicate renewed momentum.
- Sector watch: Realty and oil & gas may continue to outperform if GST and energy-policy chatter persists. Pharma and insurance stocks look strong. Auto and FMCG could remain under pressure.
- Data triggers: Investors will watch the Fed’s Jackson Hole speeches, US and Chinese PMI readings, and domestic macro data for cues.
Overall, while the market’s trend remains upward, the near‑term bias is towards consolidation with a positive undertone. A balanced approach with selective buying on dips and strict stop‑losses is advised.
