Indian Benchmarks Shine on Diwali 2025, Sensex Jumps 661 Points in Early Trade

Market Update at 9:30 AM: Indian stock markets saw strong gains on Dalal Street on the occasion of Diwali 2025, as benchmark indices opened with significant upward momentum. The BSE Sensex rose 661 points or 0.8 per cent to trade at 84,614, while the Nifty 50 gained 191 points or 0.74 per cent to trade at 25,901 in early trade.

Kotak Mahindra Bank, Reliance Industries, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, and the Bajaj twins were the Top Gainers on the Sensex, rising up to 3 per cent. In contrast, ICICI Bank was the top loser, down 2.2 per cent, as investors booked profits following its Q2 results. Ultratech Cement and Mahindra & Mahindra were other notable decliners.

In the broader markets, the Nifty MidCap index increased 0.66 per cent, while the Nifty SmallCap index edged up 0.19 per cent. The Bank Nifty index hit fresh record highs, rising 0.7 per cent, reflecting strong buying in the banking sector.

Other sectoral indices were also in the green, led by the Nifty IT, Private Bank, and Pharma indices, each gaining 0.7 per cent.

Pre-Market Update at 7:35 AM: Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty 50 are likely to open on a positive note on Monday, October 20, tracking gains in global markets. Investors’ attention will be on the Quarterly Results of Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank, announced over the weekend, which are expected to set the direction for the broader market.

Trends on the GIFT Nifty indicate a firm start for Indian equities, with the index trading 65 points higher at 25,983 around 7:10 AM. Asian markets were in the green during early trade, led by Japanese stocks, while US markets ended higher last week.

During the week, market participants will closely monitor developments in U.S.-China trade discussions, progress on the proposed India-U.S. trade agreement, the upcoming batch of Q2 corporate results, foreign portfolio investment (FPI) flows, and key domestic as well as global macroeconomic data.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that talks on the proposed India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement are progressing cordially, emphasising that no agreement will be finalised until the interests of India’s farmers, fishermen, and MSME sector are safeguarded.

On Friday, October 17, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net buyers for the third consecutive session, purchasing equities worth Rs 308.98 crore. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) were also net buyers, adding Rs 1,526.61 crore worth of equities, marking their 38th straight session of buying.

Indian markets extended gains for the third consecutive session on Friday. The Nifty 50 rose 124.55 points (0.49 per cent) to 25,709.85, and the Sensex gained 484.53 points (0.58 per cent) to 83,952.19. India VIX increased nearly 7 per cent, indicating higher volatility expectations. Both indices advanced 1.7 per cent for the week, marking their strongest weekly gain in 16 weeks and the third straight week of positive closing. Among sectors, six out of eleven ended higher, with Bank Nifty and Nifty Financial Services hitting lifetime highs. The Nifty IT index declined 1.63 per cent, impacted by margin concerns at Wipro and Infosys, while midcap and Small-Cap indices closed lower.

US markets ended higher on Friday as investor sentiment improved amid easing concerns over credit markets and optimism about trade talks with China. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 238 points (0.52 per cent), while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite each climbed about 0.53 per cent and 0.52 per cent, respectively. Volatility eased, with the VIX falling 15 per cent, after President Donald Trump signaled a positive tone toward China, saying, “I think we’re doing very well” and “I think we’re getting along with China.”

President Trump stated that the proposed 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports would not be sustainable long-term. He expressed optimism about maintaining positive relations with President Xi Jinping during their upcoming meeting in South Korea in the next two weeks.

China kept its benchmark lending rates unchanged for the fifth consecutive month in October. The one-year Loan Prime Rate stands at 3.0 per cent, while the five-year rate remains at 3.5 per cent.

Gold prices edged lower as easing U.S.-China trade tensions reduced the metal’s safe-haven appeal. Spot gold was down 0.1 per cent at USD 4,245.39 per ounce. President Trump remarked that the U.S. would “do fine with China” and added that the proposed 100 per cent levy on Chinese imports, slated for November, would not be sustainable.

The U.S. dollar index, which measures the currency against six global counterparts, was flat at 98.53 on Monday but had declined 0.43 per cent last week. Crude oil prices remained under pressure, with WTI futures at USD 57.3 per barrel and Brent futures at USD 61.1 per barrel, near six-month lows due to concerns over global oversupply.

For today, Sammaan Capital and RBL Bank will remain on the F&O ban list.

Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.