The Sensex rose 602 points, closing at 80,005, up 0.8%, while the Nifty gained 158 points to close at 24,339, marking a 0.7% increase.
In the broader market, the BSE Midcap index rose by 0.7%, while the Smallcap index gained 1.1%, reflecting investor optimism beyond the large-cap stocks.
Impact on the stock market
All sectoral indices ended in the green, signalling a widespread recovery:
- Nifty Metal recorded a 2.7% rise, driven by a strong showing from Tata Steel and Adani Enterprises.
- Nifty Auto ended its four-day slump with modest gains.
- Nifty Realty surged, led by DLF’s impressive Q2 performance, where net profit more than doubled to ₹1,387 crore.
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| Sector/Index | Performance |
| IT & BPM sector | -0.10% |
| Healthcare sector | 0.0041 |
| Oil & Gas sector | -2.52% |
| Real estate sector | -1.48% |
| PSU Bank in India | -2.22% |
Top gainers today
| Company | Price | Change % |
| ITC Share Price | 481.95 | 2.17 |
| Axis Bank Share Price | 1,189.95 | 1.94 |
| Bharat Elec Share Price | 275.2 | 1.42 |
| Britannia Share Price | 5,689.85 | 1.38 |
| HUL Share Price | 2,531.45 | 1.05 |
Top losers today
| Company | Price | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| IndusInd Bank Share Price | 1,039.40 | -18.8 |
| BPCL Share Price | 304.1 | -5.4 |
| Shriram Finance Share Price | 3,090.10 | -4.78 |
| Adani Enterpris Share Price | 2,696.45 | -4.73 |
| M&M Share Price | 2,722.95 | -3.66 |
Market aftermath: Impact on stocks
YES Bank – A 10% Rise on Impressive Q2 Earnings
YES Bank’s stock soared by 10%, reaching ₹21.3 per share, following a stellar Q2FY25 earnings report. The bank reported a two-fold year-on-year increase in net profit to ₹553 crore, along with a 14.3% rise in net interest income (NII) to ₹2,200 crore. Asset quality also showed improvement, with the gross non-performing asset (GNPA) ratio reducing slightly to 1.6%.
The bank’s cost-to-income ratio decreased to 73%, signalling improved efficiency, and return on assets (RoA) rose to 0.5%, reinforcing positive investor sentiment.
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Reliance Industries – Bonus Issue Draws Investor Focus
Reliance Industries was the centre of attention as it turned ex-date for its 1:1 bonus issue today, which is also the record date for determining shareholder eligibility. This bonus issue will double shareholders’ holdings without additional cost, with each shareholder receiving one bonus share for every share held.
Despite recent declines, Reliance’s move reflects its strategy to reward shareholders. The stock, however, has experienced a 10% dip in the past month, driven by weaker results in its oil-to-chemicals (O2C) segment and foreign investor outflows.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) – Back in the Black
BHEL, the country’s largest power equipment manufacturer, posted a net profit of ₹106 crore in Q2 FY25, a significant turnaround from a loss in the previous year. Revenue from operations rose by 28.5% YoY to ₹6,584 crore, with gains in its power and industrial segments, up 23.5% and 48%, respectively.
BHEL’s success was driven by new orders valued at ₹30,500 crore, including major contracts from Damodar Valley Corporation, Adani Power, and NTPC. The company’s share price rose 10% to ₹238.5, reflecting investor optimism around its financial recovery and increased order book.
Crude Oil Price Impact and Market Sentiment
Crude oil prices saw a minor increase today as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued to influence global markets. December Brent crude oil futures rose 0.16% to $74.50 per barrel, while WTI crude inched up by 0.13% to $70.28 per barrel.
This slight uptick was not enough to offset weak refining margins faced by Indian oil companies. Indian Oil Corporation (IoCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) both reported weaker performance due to reduced margins. BPCL saw a 73% YoY drop in consolidated net profit, while Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) reported a 98% decline, both driven by falling refining margins.
Conclusion
The Indian stock market’s positive close today marks a much-needed break from a prolonged losing streak. Gains across all sectors and notable performances by YES Bank, Reliance Industries, and BHEL signal a possible shift in sentiment, though analysts remain cautious about foreign investor outflows and mixed corporate earnings.
While the market shows signs of recovery, geopolitical developments and oil price fluctuations continue to play a significant role in shaping sentiment. Investors may find this an opportune moment to watch sectoral trends and assess stock fundamentals, as the market braces for further potential swings in the weeks ahead.
For more stock market insights, check out the StockGro blog.
