The Sensex had dropped 426.85 points, or 0.53%, finishing at 79,942.18. Meanwhile, the Nifty slipped below the 24,350 mark, ending the day at 24,340.85, down by 126 points, or 0.51%.
With mixed global cues and sectoral divergence, Indian benchmarks opened in the red, trading in a tight range for most of the session. Small-cap stocks continued to outperform, with the BSE Smallcap index rising 1.5%, while the BSE Midcap index remained flat.
Impact on the stock market
Sectoral Performance: FMCG and Capital Goods Outperform, Bank and IT Lag
Gains in FMCG, Capital Goods, and Media
Despite the overall decline, certain sectors performed positively:
FMCG, Capital Goods, and Media sectors recorded gains, rising between 0.5% and 2%. Dabur India’s recent earnings results, combined with an acquisition announcement, contributed to a positive outlook for FMCG stocks.
Losses in Bank, Pharma, and IT
Banking, Pharma, and IT sectors faced selling pressure, each declining about 1%. Concerns over foreign investor outflows and mixed Q2FY25 results weighed heavily on these sectors, with key stocks retreating from recent highs.
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| Sector/Index | Performance |
| IT & BPM sector | -0.86% |
| Healthcare sector | -1.10% |
| Oil & Gas sector | -0.37% |
| Real estate sector | -0.08% |
| PSU Bank in India | -0.26% |
Top gainers today
| Company | Price | Change % |
| Adani Enterpris Share Price | 2,969.30 | +4.24 |
| TATA Cons. Prod Share Price | 1,022.70 | +3.09 |
| Hero Motocorp Share Price | 4,909.30 | +2.55 |
| Britannia Share Price | 5,782.50 | +2.03 |
| Maruti Suzuki Share Price | 11,256.45 | +1.91 |
Top losers today
| Company | Price | Change % |
| Cipla Share Price | 1,418.25 | -4.01 |
| Shriram Finance Share Price | 3,185.80 | -2.45 |
| SBI Life Insura Share Price | 1,624.15 | -2.24 |
| Trent Share Price | 7,252.45 | -2.13 |
| HDFC Life Share Price | 727.05 | -2.07 |
Market aftermath: Impact on stocks
Dabur India – Earnings in Line with Estimates
Dabur India reported a 17% decline in net profit to ₹425 crore for Q2FY25, matching market estimates. Revenue also fell by 5% to ₹3,029 crore. Despite the profit decline, Dabur announced a ₹2.75 per share dividend and unveiled its acquisition of Sesa Care, aiming to expand into the ₹900 crore ayurvedic hair oil market. Dabur’s stock has risen by 3.5% over the past year, underperforming the Nifty50’s 27% gain.
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Aditya Birla Capital – Strong Profit Growth Boosts Stock
Aditya Birla Capital Ltd (ABCL) delivered a stellar 42% YoY increase in net profit, reaching ₹1,001 crore for Q2FY25. This growth, supported by a 36% rise in revenue to ₹12,007 crore, led to a 5% boost in the stock, closing at ₹215 on the NSE.
The company’s lending and insurance portfolios showed substantial growth, with the NBFC segment expanding assets under management (AUM) by 27% YoY. The life insurance segment also saw first-year premiums grow by 33%.
Bharti Telecom – Plans Major Bond Issuance
Sunil Bharti Mittal’s Bharti Telecom announced plans to raise ₹8,500 crore in the bond market, marking its first onshore debt issuance for the year. The company is targeting bonds due in three to ten years, with longer-term bonds expected to offer a 9% coupon rate. This large issuance comes shortly after Bharti Airtel, Bharti Telecom’s primary holding, missed analysts’ quarterly profit expectations.
Crude Oil Prices and Global Trends
Crude oil prices rose slightly today following a decrease in US inventories, as reported by the American Petroleum Institute. January Brent futures were up 0.54% at $71.11 per barrel, while December WTI futures gained 0.60%, trading at $67.61 per barrel.
In India, crude oil futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) rose by 0.58%, trading at ₹5,701 for November futures. The US EIA’s (Energy Information Administration) official report on inventory levels, expected later, is anticipated to provide more clarity on supply dynamics. Despite Tuesday’s price dip, oil markets remained steady as talks of a diplomatic resolution to the Israel-Lebanon conflict helped ease supply concerns.
Conclusion
Today’s session demonstrated the ongoing volatility in the Indian stock market, as Nifty and Sensex both recorded declines. Dabur India and Aditya Birla Capital were highlights in an otherwise mixed earnings season, while Bharti Telecom’s upcoming bond issuance adds an interesting dynamic to the debt market.
As the market digests mixed Q2 earnings and global uncertainties, sectors like FMCG and capital goods show resilience, offering opportunities for selective gains. With crude oil prices stabilising and key inventory data on the horizon, investors should brace for more short-term fluctuations as global cues continue to influence market direction.
For more stock market insights, check out the StockGro blog.
