Market Highlights (Apr 22): Sensex Rises 187 Pts, Nifty Holds 24,160 for 6th Day; ITC, HUL Surge, IndusInd Bank Plunges 5%

Indian equity markets extended their winning streak for the sixth consecutive session on Tuesday, buoyed by strong performances in FMCG, PSU banks, and realty sectors. The Sensex rose by 187.09 points to close at 79,595.59, while the Nifty 50 gained 41.70 points, settling near 24,167.25.

• Nifty 50 is up 0.17%
• Sensex is  up 0.24%
• Bank Nifty is up 0.62%

You can track daily market activity in the Ticker's Market Section. 

Broader markets also witnessed positive momentum, with mid-cap and small-cap indices registering gains, indicating robust investor confidence across segments.

Key Reasons Behind Today's Market Movement

1. Global Market Cues

Global markets played a crucial role in shaping today's market:

• US Dollar Weakness: U.S. markets showed a positive tilt as major indices posted gains, suggesting a rebound in investor sentiment.
  
  - Dow Jones Futures Today: 38,657.00 (0.86%)
  - Nasdaq Futures Today: 18,104.00 (1.11%)
  - S&P 500 Futures Today: 5,236.75 (1.00%)
   *As of 15:44 IST
   
• Asian Markets Mixed: Mixed trends were observed. Investors are balancing caution with selective optimism, as regional markets navigate global economic factors and local developments.
  
  - Nikkei: 34,220.60 (-0.17%)
  - Hang Seng: 21,562.32 (0.78%)
  - Shanghai Composite: 3,689.39 (0.25%)

2. FII & DII Activity (21st April 2025)

FIIs: Net buyers, investing ₹1,970.2 Cr.
DIIs: Net buyers, investing ₹246.6 Cr.

Did you know you can find out where FIIs or DIIs are increasing holdings using Ticker's Stock Screener for free. Just paste the query FII Holding Q1 > FII Holding Q2 in the screener and get a list of stocks where FII have increased their holdings compared to the previous quarter. 

3. Sectoral & Stock Performance

Top Performing Sectors

FMCG stocks, led by ITC and Hindustan Unilever, saw demand driven by positive rural consumption trends. PSU banks rose by 3.3%, as most public sector banks are performing very well. Realty as a sector gained 1.12%, reflecting optimism, while pharma stocks gained 1.5% on their varying strong earnings outlooks. Lastly, the IT sector saw mild profit-booking after its rally.

Top Gainers & Losers

From the Nifty 200 index, here is the list of top gainers and losers among stocks.

Get the updated stocks daily on ticker.

4. Macro & Economic Factors Impacting the Market

• Sharp Drop Against Yen: The JPY/INR pair has risen by 1.15%, highlighting notable weakness in the rupee against the yen. This shift could indicate increased risk aversion or a preference for safe-haven assets, with investors gravitating towards the yen, further pressuring rupee sentiment.

• Rupee Movement: The Indian rupee remained stable at 85.12 per U.S. dollar, balancing modest dollar inflows and a weakening Chinese yuan.

• Gold Crosses 1 Lakh Mark: Gold has reached an all-time high, with 24K gold in India surpassing ₹10,000, now priced at ₹10,135 per gram. Simultaneously, the rupee has weakened considerably against the yen, reflecting a broader risk-off sentiment in global markets.

• Crude Oil Prices: Brent crude hovered near $67.16 per barrel, with prices influenced by global demand-supply dynamics. ​

5. Market Sentiment & Key Triggers

• UBS-360 ONE Deal: UBS announced that it will sell its Indian onshore wealth management business to 360 ONE WAM for about ₹3.07 billion, and acquire a 4.95% stake in 360 ONE, which is a strategic alliance aimed at growing wealth management in India.

• Waaree Energies: The stock rose for a second consecutive day, making more than 10% returns for investors in just two days ahead of their quarterly results announcement today.

• Monsoon Forecast: The India Meteorological Department forecasts above-average monsoon rainfall for 2025, expected at 105% of the long-term average, which is anticipated to boost agricultural output and support economic growth.

• RBI Policy Outlook: Investors are awaiting the release of the Reserve Bank of India's latest policy meeting minutes, which may provide clues about further interest rate cuts, especially given the recent decline in inflation

Conclusion & Investment Strategy

The Indian stock market exhibited strength on April 22, 2025, as the key indices were able to add on gains because of positive domestic economic releases and investor sentiment. The combination of lower inflation, stable currency, and rational corporate activity in the corporate sector points to an environment that may be conducive to growth as we move forward.

From Finology Research Desk:

Investors are advised to concentrate on sectors that are dependent on rural demand and the outlook on monsoons - mainly FMCG sectors and agri-related sectors - but they should also consider PSU banks, which are doing very well. Investors must continue to track global economic cues, especially U.S. trade policies that affect emerging markets.

“In the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunity.” – Albert Einstein