Indian equity markets continued their positive momentum with both headline indices registering modest gains despite mixed global cues. Benchmarks extended their winning streak to five sessions as investors focused on domestic reforms and awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium. Technology stocks led the rally on hopes of a U.S. rate cut and demand tailwinds from GST rationalisation, while consumer and FMCG shares added support. Financials weighed on the indices, but broad market breadth remained positive.
Major Indian indices (20 Aug 2025)
Major indices
| Index | Close | Change | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensex (BSE) | 81 857.84 | +213.45 pts (+0.26 %) | Continued a five‑session winning streak; trades near record highs. |
| Nifty 50 (NSE) | 25 050.55 | +69.90 pts (+0.28 %) | Closed above the psychological 25 000 mark despite early weakness. |
| Nifty Bank | 55 698.50 | –166.65 pts (–0.30 %) | Banking stocks came under pressure; heavyweights like HDFC Bank and Bajaj Finance slipped. |
| Nifty Midcap 100 | ~49 836 | +0.46 % | Broader markets outperformed large‑caps. |
| Nifty Smallcap 100 | ~15 867 | +0.30 % | Another session of moderate gains. |
| India VIX | ≈11.8 | –4.5 % | Volatility index fell further, signalling calmness. |
| USD/INR | ₹87.0650 | ₹0.1150 weaker (–0.13 %) | Rupee depreciated marginally versus the US dollar. |
Market breadth: On the BSE, roughly 2 345 stocks advanced versus 1 603 declines, indicating positive breadth.
Sectoral performance
| Sector index | % change | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Nifty IT | +2.69 % | Sector led the rally; Infosys and TCS gained ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium, as traders bet on a potential Fed rate cut to revive US tech spending. |
| Nifty FMCG | +1.39 % | Consumer stocks such as Hindustan Unilever and Nestlé India rose on hopes that proposed GST rate cuts could boost demand. |
| Nifty Realty | +1.06 % | Realty companies extended their rebound on expectations of accommodative policy support. |
| Nifty Media | –1.98 % | Underperformed; selling pressure in entertainment names and profit‑booking after recent gains. |
| Nifty Pharma | –0.44 % | Profit‑taking dragged the index; select names like Dr Reddy’s and Divi’s Laboratories fell. |
| Private Bank and PSU Bank indices | –0.36 % and –0.27 % | Banking stocks were weak as investors rotated into IT and consumption plays. |
| Nifty Healthcare | –0.26 % | Marginally lower. |
Top gainers and losers (Nifty 50)
Top gainers
| Stock | % Chg | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Infosys | +3.88 | IT services |
| Tata Consultancy Svcs | +2.69 | IT services |
| Hindustan Unilever | +2.46 | FMCG |
| NTPC | +2.10 | Power |
| Tata Steel | +1.79 | Metals |
Top losers
| Stock | % Chg | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Bharat Electronics | −2.16 | Defence electronics |
| Bajaj Finance | −1.64 | NBFC |
| Tata Motors | −1.49 | Automobiles |
| Trent | −0.82 | Retail |
| ITC | −0.75 | FMCG/Tobacco |
Other notable movers
- Gaming companies Nazara Tech (−12.9 %) and Onmobile Global (−3.4 %) fell after reports of an upcoming ban on money-based online games.
- Micro‑irrigation stocks like Mahindra EPC (+17.8 %) and Jain Irrigation (+2.4 %) gained on expectations of zero GST on farm equipment.
- Fertilizer makers Chambal Fertilisers, Rashtriya Chemicals, and Paradeep Phosphates jumped 2–5 % amid improved export prospects.
- Sula Vineyards added ~2.5 % after reports of plans to enter premium spirits.
Global cues & commodities
| Asset/Index | Latest* | Direction | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| GIFT Nifty futures | 25 010 | Flat | Indicates muted start for next session |
| S&P 500 futures | –0.1 % | ▼ | Wall St. tech sell‑off continues |
| Euro Stoxx 50 futures | –0.6 % | ▼ | European equities under pressure |
| Nasdaq 100 (prev day) | –1.4 % | ▼ | Tech names dragged U.S. markets |
| Dow Jones (prev day) | Flat | — | US blue‑chip index stable |
| Nikkei (Japan) | –1.24 % | ▼ | Weak exports weighed on sentiment |
| Kospi (Korea) | –1.5 % | ▼ | Risk‑off mood across Asia |
| S&P/ASX 200 (Australia) | –0.2 % | ▼ | Minor decline |
| Hang Seng futures | –1.0 % | ▼ | Chinese shares mixed; Hong Kong soft |
| Brent Crude | <$66/bbl | ▼ | Oil steadied after US inventory draw |
| WTI Crude | ~$63/bbl | — | Stable; market eyes Ukraine talks |
| Gold (spot) | $3 316/oz | –0.5 % | Pulled back ahead of Jackson Hole |
*Market levels and changes are approximate snapshots from the morning of 20 Aug 2025.
Key stocks to watch & corporate updates
| Company | Brief update / reason to watch |
|---|---|
| IDFC First Bank | Board approved ₹43.7 cr preferential allotment raising ~₹2,623 cr from Platinum Invictus. |
| GNG Electronics | Q1FY26 revenue up 22 % to ₹312 cr; net profit up 53 % (₹18.5 cr). |
| Aditya Infotech | Reported 16 % revenue growth (₹740 cr) and 46 % profit growth (₹32.8 cr). |
| Paytm (One 97 Communications) | Motilal Oswal AMC bought ~26.3 lakh shares (~0.41 % stake). |
| Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) | Government approved ₹62,000 cr order for 97 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets. |
| Hero MotoCorp | Launched Glamour X 125 motorcycle. |
| Tata Motors | Subsidiary filed €14.1 b tender offer for Iveco Group; watch auto sector. |
| Lloyds Metals & Energy | Won Tandsi‑III coking coal mine with 10.5 % premium; to develop 338‑ha reserve. |
| Vedanta | Unit Bharat Aluminium faces ₹80.96 lakh tax penalty (planning to appeal). |
| Bajaj Auto | Issued ₹500 cr commercial paper at 6.25 % discount rate. |
| Servotech Renewable | Won ₹28.8 cr order to build a 7.3 MW solar plant on Jaipur division rail network. |
| Wonderla Holidays | Board re‑appointed Arun Chittilappilly as chairman & MD. |
| Dynamic Cables | Received BIS license to produce high‑conductivity alloy cables, raising monthly capacity. |
| Indian Railway Finance Corp (IRFC) | Sanctioned ₹199.7 cr term loan to support Surat Multi‑Modal Transport Hub. |
| Info Edge | CFO Chintan Thakkar resigned; Ambarish Raghuvanshi appointed interim CFO. |
| Tata Steel | Filed writ in Orissa High Court challenging ₹1,902.73 cr demand; court stays coercive action. |
| Medplus Health | Subsidiary faced suspension of three drug licences in Karnataka & Maharashtra. |
| Endurance Technologies | Approved capacity expansion for ABS and brake components at its Sambhajinagar plant. |
| Phoenix Mills | Received CCI approval to buy out CPP Investments’ 49 % stake in Island Star Mall. |
| Hero MotoCorp | Launched Glamour X 125; may drive auto interest. |
| CCL Products | Investing ₹9.57 cr for 26 % stake in Mukkonda Renewables to secure 7.9 MW wind/solar supply. |
| Reliance Industries (RIL) | Subsidiary Reliance NeuComm voluntarily wound up its Texas entity. |
| NTPC | Subsidiary commercialised 212.5 MW solar and 52.8 MW wind projects in Gujarat. |
| GMR Power & Urban Infra | Board to consider fund‑raising up to ₹3,000 cr on Aug 22. |
| Ramco Cements | Targeting revenue of ₹16,000 cr over 4–5 years (doubling current revenue). |
| Hindustan Zinc | CEO said the company may enter uranium mining if the sector opens to private firms. |
| Coal India | Signed pact with Konkan Railway to develop rail infrastructure for subsidiaries. |
| Fusion Finance | Microlender aims to recover ₹200 cr from stressed asset book over next 12 months. |
| Globe Civil Projects | Won contract to build international cricket stadium in Haryana. |
Market statistics & flows
- Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) were net buyers of ~₹634 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) purchased ~₹2,261 crore worth of stocks, extending their buying streak to 31 sessions.
- Sector performance: besides IT, FMCG and realty, metals, consumer durables and auto indices were modestly positive. Media, financial services, pharma, private bank, PSU bank, healthcare and oil & gas indices closed lower, indicating selective profit-taking.
- Volatility remained low, with India VIX largely unchanged, suggesting stable sentiment.
Outlook for tomorrow (21 Aug 2025)
- Opening cues: GIFT Nifty futures near 25 010 signal a flat to slightly negative start. Asian markets remain weak amid a sell‑off in tech shares and cautious sentiment ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium (Aug 21–23) and minutes from the FOMC meeting.
- Macro triggers: Investors will watch India’s July core sector data and the progress of GST rate rationalisation discussions. Global focus remains on U.S.–China trade developments and whether the Fed signals further rate cuts.
- Sectors to watch: Technology and FMCG stocks may continue to find support given the recent momentum; however, valuations are rich and any hawkish remarks from the Fed could trigger profit-taking. Auto and banking stocks, which lagged today, could see rotational interest.
- Key technical levels: Analysts see support for Nifty near 24 900–24 800 and resistance around 25 150. Sustaining above 25 000 could encourage continued buying, while a break below 24 900 may lead to consolidation.
- Risk factors: US tariffs on imports from select countries, sanctions on Russian crude, and volatility in global equities remain key headwinds. Investors should also monitor crude price swings and currency movements, which impact inflation expectations and corporate margins.
The overall sentiment remains cautiously optimistic as domestic liquidity and tax-reform hopes support equities, but global headwinds could prompt consolidation.
