Sensex-Slides,-Nifty-Holds-Near-25,200

Sensex dips, Nifty hovers near 25,200 as IT & banking stocks drag

The Indian stock market saw a mixed start on Thursday, July 24, 2025, with both key indices – the Nifty 50 and the BSE Sensex – opening slightly in the red. This cautious opening came after mixed signals from corporate earnings, global developments, and economic updates. While some sectors performed well, others like IT and banking pulled the market lower.

Market Opening Summary

The Nifty 50 index opened around 25,200 points, dropping by about 16 points or 0.06%. The Sensex, India’s other major benchmark index, opened near 82,616 points, falling by roughly 111 points or 0.13%. Later in the day, losses deepened slightly, with both indices facing pressure from weak performance in sectors like IT and banking.

Key Factors Moving the Market

Corporate Earnings Results

Quarterly earnings from several major companies played a big role in shaping market direction:

Infosys, one of India’s biggest IT companies, announced strong results and raised its revenue forecast for the full year. However, this did not help the stock price much, as investors remain cautious about the IT sector overall.

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, a major pharmaceutical company, reported a small increase in profits. But margin pressures due to pricing competition kept gains in check.

Tata Consumer Products delivered better-than-expected results. Its net profit rose by nearly 15% year-on-year, supported by strong demand in the food and beverages segment.

Other companies that posted strong results include Coforge, Persistent Systems, Bajaj Housing Finance, Mahindra Holidays, and Syngene.

Sector-wise Performance

The Information Technology (IT) sector was one of the biggest losers. Stocks like Infosys, TCS, LTIMindtree, Persistent, and Coforge fell by 1% to 9%. This fall came despite good earnings, as investors worry about growth in overseas markets, especially the US and Europe.

The banking sector also came under pressure. While some banks like HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank showed strength earlier in the week, the overall sector faced selling pressure.

On the other hand, consumer-focused and infrastructure-related stocks performed relatively better. Mahindra Holidays rose by about 4% after strong quarterly numbers, and BEML gained nearly 3% after winning a large defense order.

Regulatory News and Announcements

One of the biggest shocks of the day came from the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX). Its stock fell sharply by 10% and hit the lower circuit limit after the electricity regulator approved a plan to allow market coupling in the power sector. Investors feared that increased competition would hurt IEX’s market share and profits.

In the currency markets, the Indian rupee slipped slightly and traded around ₹86.41 per US dollar. Despite the fall, exporters selling dollars and a strong Chinese yuan helped limit the decline.

Global and Trade Developments

Positive global news provided some support to market sentiment. The signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement and discussions of other global trade partnerships, including between the US and Japan, created a sense of optimism.

However, ongoing delays in India’s own trade discussions on agricultural and dairy products added uncertainty.

Stock-Specific Highlights

Maruti Suzuki rose by about 1%, backed by strong trading volumes. The stock still remains below its 52-week high but is attracting investor interest due to stable demand in the automobile sector.

State Bank of India (SBI) gained around 0.7%, but it continues to trade 7–8% below its yearly peak.

Dr. Reddy’s shares gained approximately 2.4% as investors reacted positively to its earnings guidance.

Persistent Systems and Coforge, despite reporting decent profits, saw sharp declines of 7–9%, mainly due to sector-wide concerns in IT.

Thyrocare, a diagnostics company, saw its shares jump by over 12% after strong profit growth.

Delhivery, a logistics and supply chain firm, hit its highest price since May 2024 with a gain of 1.2%.

IPO Market and Broader Trends

Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) continued to be a bright spot in the Indian markets. In 2025, most IPOs have performed very well, with 27 out of 30 listings trading above their issue prices. On average, IPOs have delivered four times the returns of benchmark indices like the Nifty 50.

Mid-cap and small-cap stocks have also shown strength. Sectors such as rare-earth minerals and automobiles are leading the rally in these segments.

What to Watch Next

Several events and data points are expected to influence the market over the next few days:

Quarterly results from major companies like Bajaj Finance, Nestlé India, and SBI Life Insurance will offer more insight into sector performance.

Progress on the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, along with updates on other global trade deals, could impact market direction.

Currency movements, particularly of the rupee and the US dollar, will be closely watched, as they affect foreign investment and export competitiveness.

Market participation from foreign institutional investors (FIIs) and domestic institutional investors (DIIs) will also play a crucial role in shaping short-term trends.

Final Thoughts 

The Indian stock market showed a cautious tone on July 24, 2025, with mixed results across sectors. While IT and banking stocks dragged the indices lower, several consumer, pharma, and infrastructure companies supported the broader market. Key developments in corporate earnings, regulatory announcements, and global trade continue to influence investor sentiment.

IPO performance remains strong, mid- and small-cap stocks are gaining attention, and the rupee remains stable despite slight weakness. The coming days will bring important updates on earnings, trade policies, and currency movements, all of which will guide market momentum in the short term.

Despite current volatility, India’s long-term economic outlook remains positive, driven by strong domestic consumption, infrastructure growth, and foreign investor interest. Market watchers will continue to track earnings, policy signals, and global cues to assess the next phase of movement for Indian equities.