Markets turned positive by midday on Monday, with benchmark indices reversing early losses led by gains in banking and infrastructure stocks. As of 12:30 PM, the Sensex climbed 315.97 points or 0.39 per cent to 82,073.70, while the Nifty50 advanced 54.05 points or 0.22 per cent to 25,022.45.
This comes after a flat opening earlier in the day amid ongoing India-US trade tensions, mixed corporate earnings, and persistent foreign portfolio investor (FPI) selling. Sentiment remains cautious as investors await clarity on a potential trade pact and further Q1 results.
Banking stocks led the gains on the Nifty50, with ICICI Bank rising 2.24 per cent to ₹1,457.70, followed by HDFC Bank, up 1.70 per cent at ₹1,990.70. Both counters continued to benefit from strong Q1 results and, in HDFC Bank’s case, a recently announced bonus issue.
Among other top gainers, Eternal gained 2.97 per cent to ₹264.85, HDFC Life rose 1.39 per cent to ₹749.80, and Larsen & Toubro (LT) moved up 1.02 per cent to ₹3,500.00, buoyed by continued infrastructure spending optimism.
On the losing end, Reliance Industries fell 2.84 per cent to ₹1,434.10 despite posting record profits, as investors booked profits amid concerns over the US tariff request targeting Indian solar firms. IndusInd Bank dropped 2.73 per cent to ₹846.30, while IT stocks remained under pressure with Wipro down 2.00 per cent at ₹261.60 and HCL Technologies slipping 1.08 per cent to ₹1,532.10. Eicher Motors also declined 1.09 per cent to ₹5,566.00.
The broader market displayed mixed cues. On the BSE, out of 4,160 stocks traded, 1,914 advanced, 2,037 declined, and 209 remained unchanged. As many as 138 stocks hit 52-week highs while 39 touched 52-week lows.
Sectoral indices showed strength in financials and midcaps. The Nifty Bank index rose 0.82 per cent, the Nifty Financial Services gained 1.21 per cent, and the Nifty Midcap 100 was up 0.59 per cent. However, IT and energy indices lagged.
Traders continue to monitor global cues and technical support levels between 24,850 and 24,700 on the Nifty, with analysts recommending a sell-on-rise strategy in the absence of fresh triggers.
Published on July 21, 2025
