Stock Market Today: Sensex 81,905, Nifty 50 at 25,114

Auto stocks, real estate companies, and public sector banks among the top gainers

The Indian stock market began the week with cautious optimism, as investors kept an eye on both domestic and global developments. On September 15, 2025, the two benchmark indices, the Nifty 50 and the BSE Sensex, showed positive momentum after opening flat in early trading. The Nifty 50 is trading at around 25,114, gaining about 108.5 points or 0.43 percent. The BSE Sensex nears 81,904.70, higher by approximately 355.97 points or 0.44 percent. This performance marked the fifth straight day of gains for the Sensex, and it also pushed the index to its highest level since late August.

The session highlighted how global cues, especially the upcoming Federal Reserve policy decision in the United States, influenced investor sentiment. While the opening was muted, selective buying in certain sectors helped lift the indices into the green by the closing bell.

Sectoral Performance

Different sectors showed varied trends throughout the day. Auto stocks, real estate companies, and public sector banks were among the top gainers. The auto sector benefited from strong demand expectations during the festive season. Realty stocks moved higher on renewed interest in the housing market and a better sales outlook. PSU banks also saw strong buying, reflecting confidence in credit growth and stable asset quality.

Defence stocks were another major highlight, experiencing a sharp surge in market value. Collectively, the defence sector added close to ₹43,000 crore in market capitalisation in a single day. This surge raised hopes of a longer-term rally in the sector, driven by government support for indigenisation and rising order flows.

On the corporate front, RailTel attracted attention with a gain of about 7 to 8 percent after the company secured a contract worth ₹210 crore from the Bihar Education Council. Adani Power also advanced by nearly 3 percent after finalising a massive 25-year agreement to supply 2,400 MW of power to the Bihar government. Vedanta moved higher by close to 2 percent after one of its subsidiaries resolved a long-standing dispute related to engineering, procurement, and construction contracts.

On the other hand, not all sectors were strong. The information technology index slipped by nearly 1 percent, giving up some of the gains made during the previous week. Weakness in global tech demand and cautious guidance from major IT exporters weighed on the sector. Pharma and healthcare stocks also lagged, pulling back amid concerns over pricing pressures and lower margins in some global markets.

Global Influences

The cautious tone in the market was primarily linked to global developments. Investors were waiting for the US Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy meeting, where the possibility of a rate cut was in focus. Softer US labour data and signs of cooling inflation have strengthened expectations that the Fed may choose to ease monetary policy. Any such move would impact global liquidity flows, currency movements, and investor sentiment in emerging markets like India.

At the same time, optimism around US-India trade discussions and supportive domestic policies such as tax cuts designed to boost consumption helped maintain a positive undertone. Global commodity prices, particularly crude oil, also played an important role. While oil prices remained steady, concerns about supply disruptions and currency volatility kept traders cautious.

Domestic Macroeconomic Factors

India’s domestic data has so far been encouraging. Retail inflation for August stood at around 2.07 percent, which is comfortably within the Reserve Bank of India’s tolerance band. This low inflation reading raised hopes that domestic monetary policy will remain accommodative, supporting growth and market sentiment.

Another important trend was the shift in investor participation. In August, new investor registrations fell by 18.3 percent month-on-month, reflecting the impact of tariff shocks and a more cautious environment. Despite this slowdown in new registrations, the overall investor base still reached nearly 119 million, close to the milestone of 120 million participants in the equity markets.

Interestingly, domestic institutional investors showed strong confidence, pumping in close to ₹94,829 crore into equities in August. This marked the highest inflow in ten months and reflected the resilience of local investors despite global uncertainties. Foreign institutional investor activity, however, remained mixed, with inflows influenced by currency fluctuations and global risk appetite.

Market Structure and Participation

The strong inflows from domestic investors have been crucial in cushioning the market against foreign outflows. The broader market also witnessed healthy participation from retail investors, although new additions slowed. Mid-cap and small-cap stocks saw selective interest, with investors focusing on companies linked to themes such as infrastructure, consumption, defence, and energy transition.

The resilience in market participation indicates that domestic savings are increasingly finding their way into equities, despite global headwinds. This structural trend is expected to continue in the coming years, providing a base for long-term market growth.

Technical Outlook

On the technical front, analysts see strong support for the Nifty 50 in the range of 24,900 to 24,700. If the index were to correct, this zone would likely act as a cushion. On the upside, resistance is expected around the 25,500 mark. A decisive breakout above this level could open the door for further gains.

The Sensex also displays a similar trend, with momentum supported by steady inflows into financials, autos, and metals. Market experts believe that if global cues remain stable, these sectors will continue to drive the market higher. However, the IT and pharma sectors may remain under pressure in the near term due to global challenges.

Corporate Highlights

Individual companies played a major role in shaping sentiment during the day. RailTel’s contract win and Adani Power’s long-term supply deal underscored the importance of corporate developments in influencing stock prices. Vedanta’s dispute resolution was also seen as a positive trigger for investor confidence.

Beyond these names, the defence sector’s rally was one of the biggest stories of the day. Government orders, rising exports, and renewed focus on local manufacturing are expected to drive long-term growth in this sector, making it a key area of interest for investors.

Broader Market Mood

Overall, the mood in the market was one of guarded optimism. While global uncertainties remain, domestic data and corporate developments provided strong support. Investors continue to track not only the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision but also movements in the Indian rupee, crude oil prices, and foreign investor flows.

As long as domestic demand remains strong and inflation stays within comfortable levels, the Indian equity market appears well-positioned to absorb global volatility. However, sudden shocks in global markets, unexpected policy changes, or sharp movements in commodities could create short-term turbulence.

Final Thoughts

The Indian stock market today reflected a balance between caution and optimism. With the Nifty 50 closing at 25,114 and the Sensex ending near 81,905, both indices maintained their upward momentum. Sectoral performance remained mixed, with autos, realty, PSU banks, and defence stocks shining, while IT, pharma, and healthcare stocks underperformed.

Global cues, especially the Federal Reserve’s policy outcome, remain the most critical driver for the near term. At the same time, supportive domestic policies, healthy retail participation, and strong inflows from institutional investors are providing a solid foundation for the market.

The immediate outlook suggests that the Indian market will continue to consolidate within the current range, with 24,900 to 24,700 acting as support for the Nifty and 25,500 as the key resistance. If domestic and global conditions remain stable, the market could see further gains in the coming sessions.