Informist, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025

By Simran Rede

MUMBAI – Headline equity indices closed higher for the sixth consecutive session on Thursday after moving in a tight range, as investors likely covered their short positions on the expiry of the weekly derivatives contract of the Nifty 50. Index heavyweights such as ICICI Bank and Reliance Industries lifted the Nifty 50 and kept the index above the psychological mark of 25000 points.

The Nifty 50 closed at 25083.75 points, up 33.20 points or 0.1% and the BSE Sensex ended at 82000.71, up 142.87 points or 0.2%. The 50-stock index and the 30-stock index have gained more than 2?ch in the last six sessions, with both indices closing near a one-month high.

India's private sector activity showed robust expansion in August, with the HSBC Flash Composite Purchasing Managers' Index rising to 65.2 from 61.1 in July, S&P Global, which compiles the data, said Thursday. This was the sharpest expansion since S&P Global started the survey in December 2005. The services sector PMI rose to 65.6 in August from 60.5 a month before, while the manufacturing PMI jumped to 59.8, the highest since January 2008, from 59.1 a month ago.

Investor sentiment remained positive on the back of the rationalisation of the goods and services tax rates proposed by the government. The Group of Ministers have accepted the Centre's proposal to shift to a two-slab GST structure, its Convenor and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said Thursday.

Sectoral indices were a mixed bag. Nifty Pharma and Nifty Healthcare gained the most and closed 1% and 0.9% higher, respectively. Most pharmaceutical and healthcare stocks bounced back after falling for 3-4 sessions.

Cipla and Dr. Reddy's Laboratories closed 3% and 2.5% higher, respectively, and were the top gainers in the Nifty 50.

Most fast-moving consumer goods stocks fell, with the Nifty FMCG declining 0.6%. It was the worst-hit sectoral index. Investors likely booked profits after stocks rose for three consecutive sessions following the government's proposal to rationalise GST tax rates. The Nifty FMCG had risen more than 4% over three sessions.

Barring the Nifty Smallcap 250, all broader market indices closed lower. Nifty Midcap 50 was the worst performer among its peers and ended 0.5% lower. The India VIX, the fear indicator of the market, closed 3.5% lower. Near-term nervousness in the market eased as the volatility index fell for the fourth consecutive session, dropping 8% over this period.

Bajaj Finserv rose over 1?ter global brokerage Jefferies initiated coverage on the stock with a 'buy' rating. Jefferies has assigned a target price of INR 2,420, which implies a nearly 24% upside to the stock's previous close. The stock was among the top gainers in the Nifty 50.

Ola Electric Mobility fell over 8% and snapped a two-day winning streak, during which it had risen 29%. The stock was the worst hit in the Nifty 200. The earlier rally was on the back of China's proposal to ease the restrictions on exports of rare-earth magnets and minerals, which are a key component for electric vehicles. However, fundamental issues with Ola Electric Mobility, such as customer complaints, delivery delays, and falling market share, remain, reports said.

BSE closed 7.6% lower and was the biggest loser in the Nifty 200 after Ola Electric Mobility. Angel One also fell 6.7%. These stocks fell suddenly after Securities Exchange Board of India Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey spoke about the tenure of equity derivatives at a function. Pandey said a consultation paper will be issued with regard to the increase in tenure of equity derivatives.

Clean Science and Technology closed nearly 3% lower after falling to a record low of INR 1,070.50 in opening trade due to extraordinary trading volumes on a punching error. However, the stock briefly rebounded later in the session after media reports clarified that a punching error led to extraordinary trading volumes. Despite this, the stock closed in the negative territory.

Jupiter Wagons rose over 4?ter the company said post-market hours on Wednesday that its subsidiary has received an order for INR 2.15 billion to supply 5,376 wheelsets for Vande Bharat trains.

* Of the Nifty 50 stocks, 30 rose and 20 fell

* Of the Sensex stocks, 12 rose and 18 fell

* On the NSE, 1,506 stocks rose, 1,476 fell, and 86 were unchanged

* On the BSE, 2,094 stocks rose, 2,000 fell, and 154 were unchanged

* Nifty Pharma: up 1%; Nifty Healthcare: up 0.9%; Nifty FMCG: down 0.6%

BSE NSE

Sensex: 82000.71, up 142.87 points or 0.2% Nifty 50: 25083.75, up 33.20 points or 0.1%

End

Edited by Saji George Titus

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