Foreign inflows stay strong while earnings season sparks stock-specific moves
The Indian stock market hauls a very cautious note. Benchmark indices trade within a narrow range and cast reflections of mixed global signals, a cautious corporate earnings sentiment, and selective rotation among sectors by the investors. Presently, the BSE Sensex moves at 80,274.99, with a modest gain of 56.62 points or 0.07%. As for the NSE Nifty 50, it hovers around 24,335.15, which is an increase of 6.65 points or 0.03%.
Market Performance
Today marks the positive open of the trading session, lured by thawing trade tensions abroad, steady inflow of foreign portfolio investments, and a good mood over possible economic resilience in India. On the other hand, fluctuating commodity prices and volatility in the US markets counteract aggressive buying tendencies.
Sector Performance
Mixed performance sector-wise as shifting allocations made by investors. Banking and Finances: Public and private sector banks are the outperformers in this segment with the likes of IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank, and State Bank of India (SBI) leading the charge in terms of gains. The strength in banking stocks follows the release of solid earnings reports during Q4 and maintains expectations that credit growth will remain robust in FY26.
Automobiles and Metals: Among the other gainers for the market are Tata Motors and Tata Steel, which has domestic demand expectations bettered as well as supportive commodity prices.
Oil & Gas: Reliance Industries trades on- higher due to strong refining margins and steady demand for its products in petrochemicals.
Healthcare: The BSE Healthcare Index is declined 0.4%, with Aurobindo Pharma, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, and Hester Biosciences witnessing selling actions on regulatory scrutiny margin headwinds.
IT and Technology: The technology counters remain subdued, as investors awaited the results of the quarter from some leading companies and to see the impact of global trends on their spending in IT.
Midcap and Smallcap Indices
Broader markets show a greater momentum than large caps now. As of recently, the Nifty Midcap 100 index has risen 0.5%, whereas the Nifty Smallcap 100 index has gained around 0.8%.
Mid-cap names such as Mazagon Dock and Cochin Shipyard are drawing intense attention because of an extremely strong order book and favorable tailwinds specific to the sector, probing broader market resilience that signifies risk-on sentiment by domestic investors despite the concerns of valuations.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) Activity
Foreign institutional investors remain buoyant. They continued to add their names to buying lists for the ninth straight session. Over the past few weeks, FIIs have put in around $4.1 billion in Indian equities. The macroeconomic stability in India, progress in trade negotiations with key global partners, and improved forecasts for growth, among other factors, are driving this flow of foreign investment.
Finally, stable inflation and a monetary policy stance that is more accommodative from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) only increases the confidence of foreign investors.
Corporate Earnings and Specific Stocks Action
Much of the action on stocks is driven by earnings seasons, with several stocks moving significantly:
IndusInd Bank: Shares rise by 3%, trading at ₹852.40, following robust quarterly earnings driven by improved asset quality and healthy loan book growth. The stock has outperformed the benchmark indices by gaining 8% over the past week.
Tata Technologies: Shares witness selling pressure, declining 6%, after a major shareholder offloads a 3.95% stake via a bulk deal. Despite long-term fundamentals remaining strong, near-term profit booking emerges.
PNB Housing Finance: Shares rally nearly 10% to ₹1,085.40 after the company reports a 25% year-on-year rise in Q4 net profit, supported by strong disbursement growth and stable asset quality.
Gensol Engineering: The stock hits a 5% lower circuit after news surfaces about Enforcement Directorate raids at the company's offices in Ahmedabad and Gurgaon, causing investor concerns over compliance risks.
Initial Public Offerings (IPOs)
Activity in the primary market remains brisk:
Arunaya Organics: The company launches its IPO today, aiming to raise ₹33.99 crore through a fresh issue and offer for sale. Early subscription trends indicate healthy interest from retail investors.
Kenrik Industries: Kenrik Industries also opens its IPO, targeting to raise ₹8.75 crore by offering approximately 35 lakh shares. Focused on specialty manufacturing, the company's growth prospects attract attention from small-cap investors.
Both IPOs are seen as opportunities for investors to diversify into emerging sectors with high-growth potential.
Global Cues
Global markets provide mixed signals:
United States: Wall Street indices trade slightly lower amid concerns over extended valuations in megacap technology stocks. Investors remain cautious ahead of key economic data releases and corporate earnings announcements from major US firms.
Asia-Pacific: Asian markets display cautious optimism. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index rises by 0.5%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng futures edge higher by 0.1%. Positive manufacturing data from China lifts sentiment across regional markets.
Ongoing geopolitical developments and central bank policy outlooks continue to influence risk appetite globally.
Technical Outlook
Technical analysis suggests a cautiously positive outlook for Indian indices:
For the Nifty 50, sustaining above the 24,400 mark could trigger further upside towards resistance zones between 24,600 and 24,800. However, a break below immediate support at 24,050 may lead to mild corrective moves.
For the Bank Nifty, a decisive breakout above 56,000 could rejuvenate momentum and target 56,500 levels. On the downside, strong support is placed around 54,000–54,300, offering stability to banking stocks.
Traders and investors remain attentive to global cues, corporate earnings outcomes, and movement in heavyweight stocks for near-term market direction.
The Indian stock market on April 29, 2025, presents a picture of cautious optimism. While benchmark indices remain largely flat, underlying strength in banking, midcaps, and certain auto and metal names signals healthy internal market dynamics.
Sustained foreign inflows, stable macroeconomic indicators, and selective buying in sectors with strong earnings visibility keep sentiment buoyant. However, external risks, corporate earnings variability, and global volatility continue to warrant a balanced investment approach.
As the earnings season progresses and key macroeconomic indicators unfold, markets may witness increased sector rotation and stock-specific actions, shaping the trajectory in the sessions ahead.