The Sensex dropped 200.66 points (0.25%) to close at 81,508.46, while the Nifty fell 58.80 points (0.24%), settling near 24,619.
Mid- and small-cap stocks showed resilience:
- The BSE midcap index rose 0.3%.
- The smallcap index added 0.5%, indicating selective buying interest.
Interestingly, more than 280 stocks hit their 52-week highs on the BSE, including Ceat, L&T, Paytm, Zomato, and Wipro.
Impact on the stock market
The market saw a mixed bag of movements across sectors:
- FMCG and Media indices: Declined by 2% each, leading the losses.
- Pharma, PSU banks, auto, and energy indices: Each slipped by 0.5%.
- Metal index: Gained 0.6%, reflecting positive investor sentiment in this space.
- Capital goods index: Rose by 1%, showcasing strength in this sector.
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| Sector/Index | Performance |
| IT & BPM sector | 0.26% |
| Healthcare sector | -0.50% |
| Oil & Gas sector | -0.63% |
| Real estate sector | 0.28% |
| PSU Bank in India | -0.56% |
Top gainers today
| Company | Price | Change % |
| Wipro Share Price | 303.75 | 2.15 |
| Larsen Share Price | 3,947.30 | 2.08 |
| SBI Life Insura Share Price | 1,469.30 | 1.43 |
| Tata Steel Share Price | 149.88 | 1.07 |
| BPCL Share Price | 303.45 | 1.03 |
Top losers today
| Company | Price | Change % |
| TATA Cons. Prod Share Price | 933.95 | -4.16 |
| HUL Share Price | 2,400.75 | -3.34 |
| Tata Motors Share Price | 798.75 | -2.21 |
| Axis Bank Share Price | 1,163.25 | -1.80 |
| Nestle Share Price | 2,228.85 | -1.72 |
Market aftermath: Impact on stocks
Ceat surges on Camso acquisition
Ceat’s stock surged nearly 10%, hitting a record high after the announcement of its acquisition of the Camso brand, owned by Michelin. This deal, valued at a mix of 30% equity and 70% debt, gives Ceat a strong foothold in the premium tyre segment and access to over 40 OEMs and 200 distributors across North America and Europe.
The acquisition is set to benefit Ceat in the long run, expanding its product portfolio into conveyor belt tracks and compact construction equipment tyres. Vice Chairman Anant Goenka called the deal “a gateway to high-margin, premium markets.”
Paytm hits a fresh 52-week high
Paytm’s shares gained 3.14% during the session, reaching a new 52-week high of ₹1,007 on the NSE. The rally followed the board’s approval to sell its stake in Japan’s PayPay for a significant ₹2,364 crore.
Paytm’s stock has been on a bullish run, rising 10.11% over the past five days. The stake sale not only strengthens Paytm’s balance sheet but also reflects its strategy to streamline operations and focus on its core business.
Also read: Paytm’s entry into healthcare with ‘Health Saathi
Lloyds Metals shines with 40% upside potential
Lloyds Metals and Energy shares soared 4.5%, hitting a record high of ₹1,099. The surge was fuelled by an ‘add’ recommendation from Incred Equities, which set a bullish price target of ₹1,476, implying a 40% upside.
India’s rising steel demand and elevated iron ore prices have positioned Lloyds Metals for significant growth. The stock has already gained 81% this year, and today’s rally was supported by trading volumes that were more than double the daily average.
Crude oil prices rise amid West Asian tensions
Crude oil futures edged higher on Monday as escalating geopolitical tensions in Syria added volatility to the market.
- February Brent oil futures rose 0.41%, reaching $71.41 per barrel.
- WTI crude futures increased by 0.45%, settling at $67.50 per barrel.
Domestically, crude oil prices on the MCX rose marginally, with December futures trading at ₹5,731.
The political upheaval in Syria, marked by the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, is expected to impact oil production in the region. However, the upside in oil prices was limited by China’s inflation data, which showed a slowdown to 0.2% in November 2024, highlighting weaker demand from one of the world’s largest crude oil consumers.
Conclusion
The Indian stock market had a mixed day, with indices like FMCG and PSU banks pulling the market down, while select stocks like Ceat, Paytm, and Lloyds Metals delivered stellar performances. Crude oil prices also gained amid geopolitical uncertainties, adding another layer of complexity to market movements.
For investors, today’s session underscored the importance of diversification and sectoral focus. As markets navigate these uncertainties, keeping an eye on global cues and corporate developments will remain key.
For more stock market insights, check out the StockGro blog.
