The Indian stock market ended a volatile session on a flat note Monday, though the benchmark indices managed to snap a two-day losing streak. The market was supported by strong gains in PSU banks and realty stocks, but selling pressure in heavyweights like Maruti Suzuki, ITC, and TCS capped the upside.
The S&P BSE Sensex inched up by 39.78 points (0.05%) to settle at 83,978.49. The NSE Nifty 50 also saw a marginal gain, rising 41.25 points (0.16%) to close at 25,763.35.
Key Market Highlights
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Sensex: Closed at 83,978.49, up by 40 points.
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Nifty 50: Ended the session above the 25,750 mark.
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Market Sentiment: The market displayed mixed sentiment, with high volatility. While the headline indices were flat, the broader markets outperformed. The BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices rose by 0.6% and 0.7%, respectively, with the mid-cap index hitting a new 52-week high.
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Sectoral Performance: It was a mixed bag on the sectoral front. The Pharma, Telecom, Realty, and PSU Bank indices were the top gainers, rising by 1-2%. In contrast, the IT sector declined amid fading hopes of a U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut.
Top Gainers and Losers
Gains in financial and healthcare stocks were offset by losses in the auto and IT sectors.
| Top Gainers |
Top Losers |
| Shriram Finance (+6.2%) |
Maruti Suzuki (-3.41%) |
| Mahindra & Mahindra (+2.7%) |
ITC (-1.5%) |
| Apollo Hospitals (+2.7%) |
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (-1.0%) |
| State Bank of India (SBI) (+2.1%) |
Bharat Electronics (-0.8%) |
| Tata Consumer Products (+2.6%) |
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) (-0.7%) |
Q2 Earnings Season Continues
The second-quarter earnings season continued to drive stock-specific action.
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Bharti Airtel: The telecom major reported a massive 89% year-on-year surge in its consolidated net profit to ₹6,792 crore.
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Tata Consumer Products: The company posted an 11% rise in its consolidated net profit to ₹404 crore for the September quarter.
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Shriram Finance: The NBFC's net profit for the second quarter grew by 11% year-on-year to ₹2,307 crore. The strong results propelled the stock to become the top Nifty 50 gainer.
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Wockhardt: The pharmaceutical company reported a significant turnaround, posting a net profit of ₹78 crore for the September quarter, compared to a loss of ₹22 crore a year ago.
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AWL Agri Business (formerly Adani Wilmar): The company reported a 21% decline in its consolidated net profit to ₹245 crore.
Major News and Market Movers
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PSU Banks Shine: The Nifty PSU Bank index was a standout performer, driven by strong quarterly earnings and improving asset quality. Indian Bank was a top gainer in the space, hitting a new 52-week high of ₹887.
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Vodafone Idea Surges: Shares of Vodafone Idea continued their rally, jumping another 10% today.
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Auto Sales Data: Hero MotoCorp reported a 6% year-on-year decline in its total sales for October 2025.
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Institutional Flows: After turning buyers for most of October, foreign investors have shown signs of renewed selling, which contributed to the market's cautious tone. The market's future direction will likely depend on whether strong domestic institutional buying can continue to absorb foreign outflows.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did the market close flat today?
The market's flat close was the result of a tug-of-war between different sectors. Strong gains in PSU banks and realty were offset by selling pressure in heavyweights like Maruti Suzuki, ITC, and TCS. The absence of fresh domestic triggers also led to a range-bound session.
Which sectors were the top performers?
The Pharma, Telecom, Realty, and PSU Bank indices were the top sectoral gainers, each rising by 1-2%.
What were the key Q2 results announced today?
Bharti Airtel was a major highlight, with an 89% jump in its net profit. Shriram Finance also posted strong results, leading to a significant rally in its stock. In contrast, AWL Agri Business reported a decline in its quarterly profit.
What is the outlook for the market this week?
Analysts expect the market to consolidate in the near term as most of the positive news has been factored in. The focus will now shift to the remaining Q2 earnings reports and global macroeconomic developments for further cues.