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Stock Market Today: Sensex Rises 281 Points, IT and Pharma Stocks Shine

Indian Stock Market Today Extended Gains as Nifty 50 Held Firm Above 25,100 Amid Strong DII Buying and Positive Corporate Earnings: Want to Know Where to Put Your Money In?

Written By : Aayushi Jain
Reviewed By : Sankha Ghosh

Overview

  • Nifty 50 closed above 25,100, driven by IT sector strength and strong support from financials and pharma stocks.

  • Domestic institutional buying offset heavy FII selling, sustaining overall market momentum.

  • FMCG stocks saw profit booking after recent gains, while corporate earnings and leadership changes fueled sectoral movements.

Indian stock market today showed strong performance, with benchmark indices extending their upward trajectory. Nifty 50 index climbed to 25,120.25, registering a gain of 69.70 points (0.28%), while the Sensex surged 281.36 points (0.34%) to close at 82,139.20. This positive movement reveals sustained investor confidence as markets continue to trade above psychologically important levels.

Sectoral Performance Analysis

Here is how different sectors performed according to Moneycontrol live updates:

Information Technology Leads the Charge

The technology sector emerged as the primary driver of today's market rally, with the Nifty IT index advancing 121.00 points (0.34%) to reach 35,811.05. Major IT companies showcased impressive gains:

  • Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) shares rose 0.43% to Rs. 3,112.

  • Infosys share price gained 0.25% to Rs. 1,500.

  • Dr. Reddy's Laboratories led the Nifty 50 gainers with a 2.28% increase to Rs. 1,273.80.

Banking Sector Shows Resilience

Contrary to recent trends where banking stocks have been under pressure, the Nifty Bank index posted gains of 135.45 points (0.24%) to settle at 55,833.95. This recovery indicates renewed investor interest in financial services stocks.

Notable performers in the financial sector included:

  • Bajaj Finance surged 1.37% to Rs. 900.

  • Bajaj Finserv climbed 1.23% to Rs. 1,982.60.

FMCG Sector Experiences Profit Booking

Fast-moving consumer goods stocks witnessed selling pressure after a three-day rally triggered by proposed GST reforms. Meanwhile, the FMCG sector faced profit booking after a three-day rally triggered by GST reform expectations. Key declines included:

  • Dabur India fell 2.05%.

  • Tata Consumer Products declined 1.47%.

  • United Breweries slipped 1.17%. 

Market Breadth and Participation

The broader market participation remained healthy, with the BSE Smallcap index gaining 0.23% to close at 53,302.32. The advance-decline ratio on NSE stood at a positive 1,543 to 1,116, indicating broad-based buying interest across market segments.

Also Read: Swiggy Stock Update: Share Price Climbs 2.65% to Rs. 432.65, Analysts Stay Positive

Top Gainers and Losers

Top movers on Nifty 50 reflected strength in pharmaceuticals and financials, with Dr. Reddy's Labs rising 2.28%, Cipla adding 1.38%, and Bajaj Finance climbing 1.37%. Bajaj Finserv gained 1.23%, while Reliance Industries advanced 1.05%, providing further support to the index.

Meanwhile, notable declines on Nifty 50 were Jio Financial Services, which slipped 1.66%, followed by IndusInd Bank falling 1.44%. Bajaj Auto shed 1.31%, Tata Consumer Products dropped 1.23%, and Power Grid Corporation eased 1.18%, capping broader gains.

Institutional Investment Flows

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued their selling spree, offloading Rs. 1,100.09 crore worth of equities on August 20. However, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) provided crucial support by purchasing Rs. 1,806.34 crore worth of stocks, helping to offset foreign outflows and maintain market stability.

Currency Movement

The Indian Rupee showed marginal improvement against the US Dollar, trading at 87.01 compared to the previous close of 87.07, according to Moneycontrol data. It indicates stabilization in currency markets.

Corporate Developments

Several significant corporate announcements influenced individual stock movements. India announced the appointment of Ismo Antero Haka as Chairman as reported by Business Standard. The news drove its stock up by 1.22% to Rs. 20,250. Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail also witnessed heavy block trading.

On the earnings front, Shanti Gold International shares surged nearly 11%. According to a TradingView report, the share price hike came after a remarkable 174% jump in Q1 net profit to Rs. 25 crore.

Market Outlook

Indian stock market today displayed resilience with strong domestic institutional support compensating for foreign investor caution. From a technical perspective, the Nifty 50 continues to hold above the crucial 25,000 level, with immediate resistance around 25,200-25,300. The index finds strong support in the 24,800-24,900 range, suggesting a consolidation phase above these levels.

Technology stocks led the charge today while broader market participation remained healthy. Despite foreign investor caution, strong domestic institutional support and positive corporate developments continue to underpin market sentiment. Investors should focus on fundamentally strong companies while maintaining diversification across sectors to navigate the current market environment effectively.

Also Read: US Stock Market Today: US Stocks Plummet as NASDAQ Falls 1.1%, S&P 500 Slips 0.6%

FAQs

1. Why did the Indian stock market rally today?

The Indian stock market rallied primarily due to strength in IT and financial stocks, with Nifty 50 holding above 25,100. Positive corporate earnings, strong domestic institutional buying, and stable currency movement further supported sentiment despite continued foreign investor outflows.

2. Which sectors drove today’s market gains?

The IT sector led today’s rally with notable gains in TCS and Infosys, supported by resilience in financials like Bajaj Finance and Bajaj Finserv. Pharma stocks such as Dr. Reddy’s also contributed to the upside, while FMCG saw profit booking.

3. How did FIIs and DIIs impact the market today?

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold equities worth over Rs. 1,100 crore, continuing their cautious stance. However, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) stepped in strongly, purchasing Rs. 1,806 crore worth of stocks, which provided stability and kept the indices in positive territory.

4. What corporate developments influenced stock movements today?

Key corporate updates included Hitachi Energy India appointing a new chairman, Syngene’s leadership reshuffle, and Shanti Gold’s strong earnings. Additionally, block trades in BSE Limited and Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail impacted their stock prices, with BSE sliding despite high trade activity.

5. What is the near-term market outlook for Indian equities?

The near-term outlook remains constructive as Nifty holds above the crucial 25,000 level with support from IT and financials. However, investors should remain cautious of continued FII selling and global economic uncertainties while focusing on fundamentally strong companies for stability.

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