Post Session: Quick Review

Indian equity markets ended near the day's high points on Tuesday, with gains supported by strong performances in key sectors such as realty and industrials. Indices made a positive start and continued their firm trade throughout the session, as traders took note of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report stating that India to remain the fastest-growing major economy over the next two years with the GDP growth rate projected at 6.4 per cent for 2025 and at 6.6 per cent in 2026.

Some of the important factors in today’s trade:

India’s trade deficit narrows in February: Some support came with Commerce Ministry data showing that India’s trade deficit in February narrowed to $14.05 billion as the country's imports reduced to $50.96 billion in February. 

Govt sees 13% jump in net direct tax collection: Some support also came as the government data showed that net direct tax collection grew 13.13 per cent to over Rs 21.26 lakh crore so far (till March 16, 2025) this fiscal aided by higher advance tax mop up.

India's OFDI commitments surge 40% in February 2025: Sentiments remained positive as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report showed that India's outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) commitments surged 39.63% to $5,359.79 million in February 2025 as against $3,838.62 million in February 2024, driven by strong growth in equity investments

Global front: European markets were trading in green, with an upcoming German vote on historic debt reforms and Ukraine peace talks in focus. Most of the Asian markets ended in green after Indonesia's foreign trade surplus increased notably in February from a year ago as exports grew faster than imports. 

The BSE Sensex ended at 75301.26, up by 1131.31 points or 1.53% after trading in a range of 74480.15 and 75385.76. There were 26 stocks advancing against 4 stocks declining on the index. (Provisional)

The broader indices ended in green; the BSE Mid cap index was up by 2.10%, while Small cap index up by 2.73%. (Provisional)

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Realty up by 2.95%, Industrials up by 2.79%, Consumer Discretionary up by 2.76%, Consumer Durables up by 2.57%, Capital Goods up by 2.44%, while there were no losers on the BSE. (Provisional)

The top gainers on the Sensex were Zomato up by 7.43%, ICICI Bank up by 3.40%, Mahindra & Mahindra up by 3.07%, Tata Motors up by 2.74% and Larsen & Toubro up by 2.71%. On the flip side, Bajaj Finserv down by 1.33%, Tech Mahindra down by 0.45%, Bharti Airtel down by 0.31% and Reliance Industries down by 0.03% were the few losers. (Provisional)

Meanwhile, the commerce ministry in its latest data has showed that India's merchandise exports declined for the fourth month in a row in February 2025, falling by 12.19 per cent year-on-year to $36.91 billion as against $41.41 billion a year ago, due to volatility in petroleum prices and global uncertainties. Besides, merchandise imports were lower at $50.96 billion in February 2025 as compared with $60.92 billion in February 2024. The trade deficit, or the gap between imports and exports, for February 2025 stood at $14.05 billion, the lowest level since August 2021. In February 2024, the merchandise trade deficit stood at $19.5 billion. 

According to the data, merchandise exports during April-February 2024-25 were $395.63 billion as compared to $395.38 billion during April-February 2023-24. Merchandise imports during April-February 2024-25 were $656.68 billion as compared to $621.19 billion during April-February 2023-24. Merchandise trade deficit during April-February 2024-25 was $261.06 billion as compared to $225.81 billion during April-February 2023-24. 

It further said non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports in February 2025 were $28.57 billion as compared to $29.99 billion in February 2024. Non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports in April-February 2024-25 were $310.09 billion, as compared to $286.55 billion in April-February 2023-24. Non-petroleum, non-gems & jewellery (gold, silver & precious metals) imports in February 2025 were $35.02 billion as compared to $33.96 billion in February 2024. Non-petroleum, non-gems & jewellery (gold, silver & precious metals) imports in April-February 2024-25 were $415.85 Billion, as compared to $388.82 billion in April-February 2023-24.

The CNX Nifty ended at 22834.30, up by 325.55 points or 1.45% after trading in a range of 22599.20 and 22857.80. There were 46 stocks advancing against 4 stocks declining on the index. (Provisional)

The top gainers on Nifty were ICICI Bank up by 3.35%, Mahindra & Mahindra up by 3.19%, Larsen & Toubro up by 3.07%, Shriram Finance up by 3.00% and Tata Motors up by 2.69%. On the flip side, Bajaj Finserv down by 1.34%, Bharti Airtel down by 0.72% and Tech Mahindra down by 0.56% were the few losers. (Provisional)

European markets were trading higher; Germany’s DAX gained 309.15 points or 1.34% to 23,463.72, France’s CAC rose 56.27 points or 0.7% to 8,130.25 and UK’s FTSE 100 increased 43.08 points or 0.5% to 8,723.37.