Synopsis : Indian benchmark indices opened the week with slight losses due to weak global cues and profit booking, while smallcap stocks defied the trend with over 1% gains. The IT sector dragged, but pharma, realty, and PSU banks lent support.
Market Update – May 19, 2025: Caution at the Top, Optimism Beneath
The Indian stock markets opened on a muted note this Monday, with the Sensex slipping over 150 points and the Nifty falling below the psychological 25,000 mark, reflecting a mild global sell-off and local profit-booking at higher levels. However, the resilience in mid and smallcap stocks turned heads, with the Nifty SmallCap index gaining over 1% and MidCap up 0.55%.
The BSE Sensex was last seen trading at 82,163, down 168 points or 0.18%, while the NSE Nifty50 hovered near 24,985, down 32 points or 0.13%.
Dragging the Index:
Tech stocks weighed heavily on sentiment:
Infosys
TCS
Zomato (Eternal)
IndusInd Bank
HCL Tech
Tech Mahindra
M&M
Reliance Industries
Nestle India
These stocks saw declines amid global headwinds and a Moody’s downgrade of US credit outlook, which sparked fears of a tech slowdown.
Index Supporters:
Holding firm amid the downturn were:
NTPC
Tata Motors
Asian Paints
Bajaj Finserv & Bajaj Finance
Power Grid
SBI
These stocks posted modest gains up to 1%, supporting the broader market.
Sectoral Check:
IT Index: -0.97% (Only loser sector)
Pharma Index: +1%
Realty Index: +2%
PSU Bank Index: +2%
Despite pressure on tech, pharma, realty, and PSU banks powered ahead, thanks to domestic investor interest and favorable policy outlooks.
Q4 Earnings on Radar:
Investors are keeping a sharp eye on today’s Q4 FY25 results from heavyweights including:
Power Grid Corp, Bharat Electronics, DLF, PI Industries, Pfizer, Redington, Sun Pharma Advanced, Zydus Wellness, JK Paper, and many others across sectors.
A broad mix of companies reporting results could set the tone for the rest of the week.
Global Snapshot:
Asian markets traded weak following:
Disappointing Chinese economic data
Moody’s downgrade of US equities
US stock futures and the Dollar Index slipped
Treasury yields rose, indicating caution ahead of key US macro announcements.
Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Market investments are subject to risk. Readers are advised to consult a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
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