The BSE Sensex rose by 1.53%, closing 1,131.31 points higher at 75,301.26, after reaching an intra-day high of 75,385.76.
Similarly, the NSE Nifty50 climbed 1.45%, ending the day at 22,834, up by 325.55 points. The Nifty traded within the range of 22,845.95 to 22,599.20 throughout the session.
It was a positive session for the bulls today, with most stocks in the Nifty50 closing in the green. Out of the 50 stocks, only Bajaj Finserv, Tech Mahindra, and Bharti Airtel saw losses. The biggest gainers included ICICI Bank, M&M, Shriram Finance, L&T, and Tata Motors, with some stocks rising by up to 3.35%.
Broader indices also mirrored this optimism, with the Nifty Smallcap100 index leading the charge, up by 2.71%, followed by the Nifty Midcap100 index, which gained 2.10%.
Impact on the stock market
Today, all sectoral indices on the NSE settled in positive territory, with gains extending up to 3.62%. Here’s a breakdown of the sector-wise performance:
- Auto: The Nifty Auto index surged by 2.5%, with M&M and Tata Motors leading the way.
- Capital Goods: The Nifty Capital Goods index rose 2.8%, supported by L&T and BHEL.
- Consumer Durables: This index gained 2.5%, with notable performances from companies like Whirlpool India.
- Metals: The Nifty Metal index jumped by 2.6%, buoyed by Tata Steel and JSW Steel.
- Power: The Nifty Power index gained 2.2%, with NTPC and Adani Power contributing.
- Realty and Media: These sectors also performed well, rising by about 1.5%, with Raymond leading the way in the realty sector.
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| Sector/Index | Performance |
| IT & BPM sector | 1.33% |
| Healthcare sector | 1.66% |
| Oil & Gas sector | 0.68% |
| Real estate sector | 3.16% |
| PSU Bank in India | 2.29% |
Top gainers today
| Company | Price | Change % |
| ICICI Bank Share Price | 1,309.85 | 3.22 |
| M&M Share Price | 2,791.40 | 3.19 |
| Larsen Share Price | 3,270.70 | 3.06 |
| Shriram Finance Share Price | 642.30 | 3.06 |
| Tata Motors Share Price | 680.05 | 2.87 |
Top losers today
| Company | Price | Change % |
| Bajaj Finserv Share Price | 1,844.65 | -1.44 |
| Bharti Airtel Share Price | 1,627.30 | -0.72 |
| Tech Mahindra Share Price | 1,430.65 | -0.66 |
Market aftermath: Impact on stocks
Real estate stocks bounce back
After a tough few days, real estate stocks made a strong comeback on March 18. The Nifty Realty index surged by more than 3%, snapping a three-day losing streak. Raymond Ltd was the top performer, surging by 18.35% to hit an intraday high of ₹1,457.3 per share.
Other notable gainers in the sector included Macrotech Developers (Lodha), Mahindra Lifespace Developers, and The Phoenix Mills, with gains extending up to 18%.
This uptick in real estate stocks follows a period of decline, and today’s performance could signal a shift in market sentiment.
Varun Beverages: Strong summer demand expected
Varun Beverages saw its shares jump nearly 5% today, continuing a strong rebound from its 52-week low earlier this month. Analysts are optimistic about the company’s growth prospects due to strong demand expected during the summer season.
Brokerages like Citi Research have also pointed out that Varun Beverages is well-positioned to see a surge in earnings over the next 90 days, particularly with the added boost from its recent acquisitions in Africa.
Despite a 38% fall from its all-time high, the stock has now rebounded by nearly 27%, showcasing the potential for future growth.
Centum Electronics: A strong rally after fundraise
Centum Electronics saw its shares soar by 19% today, continuing a strong uptrend that began after the company raised ₹210 crore through a qualified institutional placement (QIP). The stock saw higher-than-average trading volumes, and investor confidence was further bolstered by the participation of Prashant Jain’s 3P India Equity Fund, which acquired a 3.52% stake in the company.
Centum Electronics is bouncing back after hitting a 52-week low of ₹1,140 earlier this month, and this strong performance could continue as the company sees increased investor interest following the fundraising.
Crude oil prices rise amid geopolitical tensions
Crude oil futures saw an uptick on March 18 due to rising tensions in the West Asia region. May Brent oil futures traded at $71.30, up by 0.32%, while WTI crude oil futures rose by 0.31%, settling at $67.58. The increase in oil prices comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly following attacks on US military assets in the region.
The situation in the Red Sea and broader Middle Eastern tensions continue to add volatility to global oil prices, and market players are keeping a close eye on any further developments.
Conclusion
The Indian stock market experienced another strong day on March 18, 2025, with both the Sensex and Nifty50 showing notable gains.
The performance of Varun Beverages and Centum Electronics highlights the market’s growing optimism in certain sectors, while the rally in real estate stocks marks a potential turnaround. On the other hand, crude oil prices continued to rise due to geopolitical tensions, which could have a significant impact on market sentiment in the coming days.
Stay tuned for more such share market news and daily insights right here at StockGro.
