Nifty hits fresh high ahead of US CPI, Fed policy outcome; IT stocks lead gains

The Nifty Midcap 100 surpassed 54,000 for the first time, hitting a new record high of 54,094.40.

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26 Aug, 2025 12:21

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The Nifty 50 index surged over 150 points to hit a new record high, with IT and oil & gas stocks leading the gains. Meanwhile, FMCG and consumer durables declined.

Nifty 50 reclaimed the 23,400 level to clock a fresh lifetime high at 23,441.95. The Sensex came within 30 points of its record high of 77,079.

The upmove in the frontline indices comes ahead of the US CPI data and the Fed policy outcome due today.

At 11.00 AM, the Sensex was up 557 points or 0.7 percent at 77,014 and the Nifty 50 was up 166 points at 23,430. About 2,409 shares advanced, 884 shares declined, and 76 shares were unchanged.

The Nifty Midcap 100 surpassed 54,000 for the first time, hitting a new record high of 54,207.

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"Midcap and smallcap stocks present a buy-on-dips opportunity. The earnings outlook for these segments remains positive, offering promising investment prospects," said Nirav Karkera, Head of Research at Fisdom. He added that the near- to medium-term outlook for midcap and smallcap stocks is positive, expecting these segments to outperform the headline indices by a comfortable margin over the medium term.

11 out of the major 13 sectoral indices were in green. Nifty FMCG and Nifty Realty fell 0.3 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively.

Among individual stocks, BPCL and Coal India were the top gainers in the Nifty 50, each rising over 2 percent.

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"The daily and weekly momentum is positive, and hence, we do not expect any significant price correction," added Ruchit Jain, Lead Research Analyst at 5paisa. Jain sees immediate support for Nifty 50 at 23,050 and 22,930.

Upcoming budget and volatility

Karkera noted that the upcoming budget is a key monitorable from a near-term standpoint. "The upcoming budget has many on the sidelines, especially considering how this coalition government has come into power," he said. He expects volatility to return to pre-election levels after the budget.

The volatility index India VIX declined 2 percent to 14 in early trade today.

Globally, investors are closely watching the US CPI data and the Fed policy outcome. "US Fed commentary could provide direction to the market. So far, investors are expecting one rate cut towards the end of the year, and any deviation from that could drive the market either way," said Siddhartha Khemka, Head of Retail Research at Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.