Post Session: Quick Review

Domestic equity indices recovered from day’s low point but ended slightly in red for 6th straight sessions ahead of the upcoming domestic economic data - consumer price index (CPI) and index of industrial production (IIP) - to be released later in a day. Indices made a negative start and slipped into deep red amid fears of US President Donald Trump slapping reciprocal tariffs on multiple countries, including India. 

Some of the important factors in today’s trade:

US Treasury yields rise: Traders were cautious as U.S. Treasury yields rose after testimony from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell raised some doubt about the path toward lower rates.

Concerns over continued foreign fund outflows: The Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have extended their selling on February 11 as they offloaded equities worth Rs 4486 crore.

India's net direct tax collection jumps 15%: Traders took note of Central Board of Direct Taxes in its latest data showing that net direct tax collection grew 14.69 per cent to over Rs 17.78 lakh crore so far this fiscal (April 1, 2024, and February 10, 2025). 

Global front: European markets were trading in green, while most of the Asian markets ended in green as investors await U.S. CPI data and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's testimony before the House Financial Services Committee later in the day for more insight on interest rates, trade tariffs and economic outlook. 

The BSE Sensex ended at 76171.08, down by 122.52 points or 0.16% after trading in a range of 75388.39 and 76459.72. There were 16 stocks advancing against 14 stocks declining on the index. (Provisional)

The broader indices ended in red; the BSE Mid cap index was down by 0.45%, while Small cap index down by 0.49%. (Provisional)

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Metal up by 0.68%, Basic Materials up by 0.35%, Bankex up by 0.28%, Capital Goods up by 0.16% and Industrials up by 0.06%, while Realty down by 2.58%, Auto down by 0.84%, Consumer Disc down by 0.75%, Energy down by 0.70% and IT down by 0.65% were the top losing indices on BSE. (Provisional)

The top gainers on the Sensex were Bajaj Finserv up by 2.64%, Tata Steel up by 1.77%, Larsen & Toubro up by 1.58%, Kotak Mahindra Bank up by 1.44% and Ultratech Cement up by 1.41%. On the flip side, Mahindra & Mahindra down by 2.78%, ITC down by 1.73%, Indusind Bank down by 1.52%, Power Grid down by 1.49% and Reliance Industries down by 1.43% were the top losers. (Provisional)

Meanwhile, highlighting the measures being taken to facilitate Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows in the country, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada has said that the Government has put in place a policy framework for Foreign Direct Investment that is transparent, predictable, and easily comprehensible. Besides, he said to promote FDI, the Government has put in place an investor-friendly policy, wherein most sectors, except certain strategically important sectors, are open for 100% FDI under the automatic route. More than 90% of the FDI inflow is received under the automatic route.

Minister further noted that India has embarked on a series of reforms aimed at liberalizing its FDI policies, with the goal of stimulating economic growth and encouraging foreign capital inflows. In the recent past, reforms in the FDI Policy have been undertaken in sectors such as Defence, Insurance, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Telecom and Space. FDI in the Defence sector is allowed up to 74% through Automatic Route (from earlier 49%) for companies seeking new industrial licenses. Further, 100% FDI in the Telecom Sector is allowed under the Automatic Route. FDI sectoral cap in the insurance sector has been revised from 49% to 74% under the automatic route. The Union Budget 2025 also announced the further increase of FDI sectoral cap for the insurance sector from 74% to 100%. This enhanced limit will be available for those companies, which invest the entire premium in India.

The CNX Nifty ended at 23045.25, down by 26.55 points or 0.12% after trading in a range of 22798.35 and 23144.70. There were 26 stocks advancing against 24 stocks declining on the index. (Provisional)

The top gainers on Nifty were Bajaj Finserv up by 2.51%, SBI Life Insurance up by 2.34%, HDFC Life Insurance up by 1.71%, Tata Steel up by 1.67% and Shriram Finance up by 1.60%. On the flip side, Mahindra & Mahindra down by 3.20%, Eicher Motors down by 2.47%, Bharat Electronics down by 2.23%, ITC down by 2.01% and Hero MotoCorp down by 1.71% were the top losers. (Provisional)

European markets were trading higher; Germany’s DAX gained 73.78 points or 0.33% to 22,111.61, France’s CAC rose 23.55 points or 0.29% to 8,052.45 and UK’s FTSE 100 increased 5.9 points or 0.07% to 8,783.29.

Asian markets ended mostly higher on Wednesday as regional markets continued to watch the potential impact of US President Donald Trump’s latest tariff escalation. But investors were cautiously awaiting key US consumer inflation reading after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that the central bank is in no rush to cut interest rates. Chinese shares gained after Chinese automaker BYD said it would integrate self-driving features across 21 vehicles using DeepSeek AI in some. Hong Kong shares surged after reports that Apple is partnering with Alibaba to introduce artificial intelligence features for iPhone users in China. Japanese shares rose as the yen remained on track for its longest losing streak in more than a month amid heightened concerns Japan may be included in the US President's tariff plan.