Post Session: Quick Review

Indian stock markets ended near their day’s high points on Thursday, with the Nifty advancing over 200 points, supported by delay in U.S. tariffs and a decline in crude oil prices. After making positive start, soon markets turned choppy and were oscillating between red and green terrain amid foreign fund outflows. In afternoon session, indices traded in green and extended their gains to end higher, as traders took some support with RBI’s commitment to inject Rs 1.9 lakh crore liquidity into banking system. 

Some of the important factors in today’s trade:

U.S. tariff delay boost sentiment: Traders reacted positively to news of a one-month delay in certain U.S. tariffs on Mexico and Canada imports. The White House indicated that Trump is open to further tariff concessions, easing concerns about potential economic fallout.

PM Modi says budget 2025-26 to strengthen workforce, economy: Sentiments were upbeat with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that the Union Budget 2025-26 paves the way for a strong workforce and a growing economy with investments prioritized equally across infrastructure, industries, people, economy, and innovation.

Engineering goods exports to US surge 18% in Jan: Traders took note of report that EEPC India's engineering goods exports to the United States recorded an 18 per cent year-on-year growth in January 2025, reaching $1.62 billion, even as overall engineering shipments grew at a modest 7.44 per cent.

Global front: Most of European markets were trading in red, ahead to the European Central Bank's interest-rate decision and President Christine Lagarde's press conference later in the day for direction. Most of the Asian markets ended in green, after U.S. President Donald exempted automakers from newly imposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada for one month, raising hopes for negotiations.

The BSE Sensex ended at 74340.09, up by 609.86 points or 0.83% after trading in a range of 73415.68 and 74390.80. There were 24 stocks advancing against 5 stocks declining on the index, while one stock remained unchanged. (Provisional)

The broader indices ended in green; the BSE Mid cap index was up by 0.65%, while Small cap index up by 1.63%. (Provisional)

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Energy up by 2.78%, Metal up by 2.64%, Oil & Gas up by 2.36%, Basic Materials up by 1.65% and Utilities up by 1.45%, while Realty down by 0.42%, Telecom down by 0.27% were the few losing indices on BSE. (Provisional)

The top gainers on the Sensex were Asian Paints up by 4.70%, NTPC up by 3.41%, Reliance Industries up by 2.96%, Tata Steel up by 2.87% and Bajaj Finserv up by 2.39%. On the flip side, Tech Mahindra down by 2.31%, Kotak Mahindra Bank down by 0.96%, Zomato down by 0.62%, Tata Motors down by 0.19% and Indusind Bank down by 0.07% were the top losers. (Provisional)

Meanwhile, Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has said that 17.1 crore jobs were created in the country in a decade from 2014 to 2024, and 4.6 crore of these employments were added in the past year alone. He noted a significant drop in unemployment rates, from 6 per cent in 2017-18 to 3.2 per cent in 2023-24, and a remarkable rise in female employment from 22 per cent to 40.3 per cent in the same period. 

The minister attributed these achievements to the government's progressive policies that have strengthened the country's workforce. He also highlighted the impact of the government's social security initiatives, citing the ILO World Social Security Report 2024-26, which showed India's social security coverage doubling from 24.4 per cent to 48.8 per cent. The expansion of the e-Shram Portal, covering over 30.67 crore unorganised workers, and the inclusion of gig workers under PMJAY, reinforce the government's commitment to workforce welfare.

The government has also integrated 12 key welfare schemes under e-Shram and has made the portal available in 22 Indian languages. Additionally, to support workers' families, 10 new ESIC medical colleges have been approved, with plans for 10 more in the pipeline. He reaffirmed that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India's investment in its people is shaping a stronger, self-reliant nation, ensuring long-term benefits for future generations. 

The CNX Nifty ended at 22544.70, up by 207.40 points or 0.93% after trading in a range of 22245.85 and 22556.45. There were 42 stocks advancing against 8 stocks declining on the index. (Provisional)

The top gainers on Nifty were Asian Paints up by 4.78%, Coal India up by 3.90%, Hindalco up by 3.74%, BPCL up by 3.60% and NTPC up by 3.59%. On the flip side, Tech Mahindra down by 2.25%, Bharat Electronics down by 0.72%, Trent down by 0.72%, Kotak Mahindra Bank down by 0.59% and HDFC Life Insurance down by 0.47% were the top losers. (Provisional)

European markets were trading mostly in red; UK’s FTSE 100 decreased 86.4 points or 0.99% to 8,669.44 and France’s CAC fell 29.44 points or 0.36% to 8,144.31, while Germany’s DAX gained 50.58 points or 0.22% to 23,131.61. 

Asian markets settled mostly higher on Thursday tracking Wall Street’s gains overnight after reports emerged that US President Donald Trump was considering a one-month delay of auto tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Chinese and Hong Kong shares gained, led by technology shares and ahead of the release of Chinese trade data on Friday. Meanwhile, Chinese government reports to the annual legislative session showed a greater resolve by China to boost consumer spending and other domestic demand. Seoul shares rose after data showed South Korea's consumer inflation softened in February for the first time in four months.