Stock market today: BSE Sensex ends flat; Nifty50 above 22,550 – The Times of India
Stock market today: Indian benchmark indices, BSE Sensex and Nifty50, remained largely unchanged on Friday, following a 2% increase in the previous two sessions. While Reliance Industries showed positive movement, IT stocks declined amid worries about US tariffs and unstable trade policies affecting global markets.
The BSE Sensex finished at 74,332.58, down by 7.51 points or 0.01%, whilst the Nifty 50 settled at 22,552.50, up by 7.80 points or 0.03%.
The total market value of BSE-listed companies decreased by Rs 697 crore to Rs 398.26 lakh crore.
Technology stocks faced pressure, with the IT index dropping 0.9%, as these companies generate substantial revenue from the US market. Major tech firms Infosys and HCL Technologies saw declines exceeding 1.6%.
Reliance Industries, ranking second in market weight among index constituents, recorded a 3% increase, leading gains across both indices.
The automobile sector index concluded marginally higher by 0.1%, surrendering earlier gains. CLSA indicated that potential removal of import duties on US vehicles would not significantly affect Indian car manufacturers.
In specific stock movements, Bharat Electronics gained 1.5% after receiving orders worth Rs 577 crore, whilst Gensol Engineering continued its downward trend for the eighth straight session, falling 2.5% following credit rating downgrades by CARE and ICRA.
The property sector index Nifty Realty fell by 1.2%, with prominent developers like Godrej Properties, Lodha, Prestige Estates, and Raymond seeing declines of 2-3%.
The previous two trading sessions had witnessed the Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex rise approximately 2% each, supported by positive sentiment regarding potential US tariff reductions on Canadian and Mexican imports, lower oil prices, and value buying following recent market declines.
Following Indian trading hours on Thursday, US President Donald Trump declared the suspension of 25% tariffs on the majority of Mexican and Canadian imports, further complicating an already unpredictable trade policy that has disrupted international financial markets.
Investors maintained a cautious stance whilst awaiting crucial US employment statistics and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s address.
Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, noted that global markets face significant uncertainty due to US tariff implementations and retaliatory threats from trading partners. This uncertainty has reduced risk appetite and equity attractiveness, with emerging markets particularly affected by substantial capital outflows.
“Lately, the S&P 500 index is showing signs of a deeper correction, reflecting concerns about the potential impact of tariffs on the US economy. In contrast, Indian markets have demonstrated resilience off late despite looming trade war. While a recovery in corporate earnings could significantly improve the domestic sentiments. Investors could go overweight on large caps given stability in earnings and increasing valuation comfort,” Nair said.
