Based on the trend over the past few years, the benchmark indices Nifty 50 and Sensex are likely to record gains on the upcoming Muhurat trading session, which will be held on October 21 between 1:45 pm and 2:45 pm.
Muhurat trading, which is a special Diwali trading session, will be conducted on Indian stock exchanges NSE and BSE on October 21 between 1:45 pm and 2:45 pm. Celebrated every year on Diwali, the hour-long session marks the beginning of the Hindu financial year, also known as Samvat.
Of the past ten years, the indices have settled lower on the Muhurat trading session only twice. In fact, for the past seven years, the Nifty 50 has closed with gains of roughly 0.5 percent.
Historically, returns have typically ranged between 0.4 and 0.9 percent, except for brief dips in 2016 and 2017 when the index slipped 0.1 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively. The trend highlights a generally upbeat sentiment during the auspicious trading hour that marks the beginning of the new Samvat year.
Muhurat Trading is marked by low volumes but strong positive sentiment. Many traders and institutions place small, symbolic trades rather than substantial investments, contributing to the festive atmosphere.
The markets will also remain closed on Wednesday, October 22, on the occasion of Balipratipada.
Looking to Samvat 2082
Samvat 2081 turned out to be a year of consolidation, with the broader market delivering a modest return of approximately one percent ROI between November 2024 and September 2025. Despite subdued performance, this period laid a strong foundation for potential upside. After a year of range-consolidation movement, the stage is now set for Indian markets to rebound.
“Now as we step into Samvat 2082, we believe the Indian equity markets are well-positioned to deliver stronger returns, supported by several key tailwinds like a substantial Rs 12 lakh crore tax-free budgetary push, coupled with the anticipated GST 2.0 reforms, is expected to revive consumption and accelerate corporate earnings growth particularly the double-digit growth that has been missing over the past 2–3 quarters,” said Prashanth Tapse, Sr. VP Research – Research Analyst, Mehta Equities.
He added, in addition to the above, a likely strategic trade deal between the US and India could open new export avenues and enhance bilateral cooperation.”
On the technical front, as we approach Diwali 2025, Nifty has been trading in a sideways range after witnessing a strong bounce from its demand zone.
“This ongoing consolidation phase can be seen as a healthy pause within the broader uptrend and may offer a strategic buying opportunity for investors. The chart structure indicates that the market is stabilizing, creating a favorable environment for long-term investors,” said Choice Broking.
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