Stock Market Today: Sensex Settles 55 Points Lower, Nifty Below 24,150

Sector-wise, the IT index gained 0.7 per cent, while sectors such as media, PSU Bank, metals, oil and gas, power, and realty saw declines of 1-2 per cent. The BSE Midcap index fell by 1 per cent

Indian benchmark equities shrugged off the positive sentiment from global markets following the US Federal Reserve's decision to cut its benchmark lending rate by 0.25 percentage points. On Friday, the benchmark indices closed lower for the second consecutive session, with the Nifty ending below the 24,150 mark.

At the close, the Sensex slipped 55.47 points, or 0.07 per cent, to finish at 79,486.32, while the Nifty dropped 51.15 points, or 0.21 per cent, to close at 24,148.20.

Among the major gainers on the BSE Sensex were M&M, Titan Company, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, and Nestle. On the downside, Tata Steel, Trent, Asian Paints, SBI, Tata Motors, and RIL were the top losers.

For the week, the BSE Sensex fell 0.3 per cent, and the Nifty50 index declined by 0.6 per cent.

Sector-wise, the IT index gained 0.7 per cent, while sectors such as media, PSU Bank, metals, oil and gas, power, and realty saw declines of 1-2 per cent. The BSE Midcap index fell by 1 per cent, while the Smallcap index dropped by 1.6 per cent.

Over 220 stocks reached their 52-week highs on the BSE, including notable names such as Indian Hotels, Page Industries, Coforge, NALCO, Federal Bank, Apollo Hospitals, DCM Shriram, Persistent Systems, and City Union Bank, among others.

Ajit Mishra – SVP Research at Religare Broking, said, “The markets traded lackluster, ending slightly lower as the consolidation phase continued. After an initial dip, the Nifty saw sharp fluctuations in the early hours before settling into a range-bound movement for the rest of the session. Sector-wise, the trend was mixed, with IT and FMCG showing gains while realty and energy were among the top decliners. Broader indices faced pressure, dropping between 1% and 1.5 per cent.

Mishra added: “This mixed sectoral trend is leaving participants uncertain about the market's next direction. While IT stocks have regained momentum following last week’s dip, the banking sector remains stuck in a range. Given the current scenario, a cautious stance with a hedged approach is advisable until clearer market signals emerge. Meanwhile, investors could use this period to selectively accumulate quality stocks available at attractive valuations.”