Closing Bell: Market fails to hold gains, ends flat; IT stocks outperform

Market Close | Market ends flat amid volatility

Indian equity indices ended flat in the volatile session on March 25. At close, the Sensex was up 32.81 points or 0.04 percent at 78,017.19, and the Nifty was up 10.30 points or 0.04 percent at 23,668.65.

We wrap up today's edition of the Moneycontrol live market blog, and will be back tomorrow morning with all the latest updates and alerts. Please visit https://www.moneycontrol.com/markets/global-indices for all the global market action.

Ajit Mishra – SVP, Research, Religare Broking

The markets paused after six consecutive sessions of gains, closing on a flat note. The sentiment was positive in the early trade, but profit booking in heavyweights across sectors erased all gains, leading to a range-bound session. As a result, the Nifty ended unchanged at 23,668.65. Most sectors, except IT, witnessed profit booking and closed in the red, with realty, energy, and metal being the top losers. The broader indices also slipped, losing between 1.2% and 1.8%.

A minor pullback after a strong rally is natural, and Nifty is expected to consolidate after testing its previous swing high around the 23,800 mark. On the downside, the index is likely to find support first around the key moving averages (100 DEMA & 200 DEMA) at 23,400 and next near 23,100.

Traders should maintain a "buy on dips" strategy with a focus on selective stock picking. We continue to favor the banking and financial sector while advising a selective approach in other segments.

Vaibhav Vidwani, Research Analyst at Bonanza

Today, the Indian stock market experienced a mixed day on March 25, 2025, with the major indices closing on a relatively flat note after a volatile session. The BSE Sensex ended at 78,017.19, up by a marginal 32.81 points, while the Nifty 50 settled below the 23,700 mark. Despite the flat close, IT stocks continued to outperform, contributing positively to the market's overall sentiment. The NIFTY NEXT 50 index also experienced a decline of 1.47% during the day, closing at 62,703.75.

Overall, while the market's momentum has been building up, sustainability of the rally remains a concern amidst global economic uncertainties.

Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities

While markets were largely range-bound with a negative bias after an initial upsurge, benchmark Sensex finally closed above the crucial 78k mark with a modest gain amid buying in technology stocks. However, investors traded with caution ahead of F&O expiry, with selling seen in banking, realty, oil & gas and metal shares.

Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities

The Nifty faced resistance at the previous swing high, leading to a volatile session before closing slightly lower. On the downside, support is observed around 23,300, which is a congestion level, with the 100-EMA also placed near this level. As long as the Nifty remains above 23,300, we anticipate a consolidation phase within a broader range of 23,300 to 23,800.

Immediate support is placed at 23,600, and a decisive drop below this level could drive the index toward 23,300. On the upside, resistance is at 23,800, and a breakout above this level may resume the rally.

Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities

Today, the benchmark indices witnessed some profit booking at higher levels. The Nifty ends 10 points higher, while the Sensex was up by 33 points. Among sectors, the IT index was the top gainer, gained nearly 1 percent, whereas profit booking was observed in the Defence and PSU Bank indices, both of which shed nearly 2 percent. Technically, after an early morning intraday rally, the market witnessed profit booking at higher levels. On the daily charts, a shooting star kind of formation has formed, indicating potential weakness from the current levels.

We are of the view that after a promising uptrend rally, the market is currently experiencing some profit booking at higher levels. However, the short-term texture of the market remains positive. For day traders, 23,600/77700 would be the key support zone. Above this level, the market could retest the range of 23,850/78300 to 23,900/78500. On the flip side, a dismissal of 23,600/77700 could alter market sentiment. Below this level, the market could slip to 23,500 to 23,450/77300-77200.

Except IT, all other sectoral indices ended in the red with auto, capital goods, consumer durables, metal, oil & gas, power, PSU bank, realty, telecom down 1-1.5 percent....Read More

Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments

After a six-day recovery rally, the broader market witnessed some profit booking, particularly in small and mid-cap stocks, where premium valuations still exist. On the other hand, the IT sector posted gains, driven by positive global cues stemming from expectations of softer tariffs and a recent correction in valuations. In the near-term, investor sentiment is expected to be cautious as they await clarity on trade policy between US-India. Meanwhile, attention is shifting towards the quarterly results, which is anticipated to shed light on the recovery in earnings growth. Favourable indicators, such as expected rate cuts and rupee movements, continue to support the market sentiment.

Aditya Gaggar Director of Progressive Shares

After a strong start, the Index attempted to break its previous swing high of 23,800 but faced a reversal. Profit-taking across the board weighed on the Index, causing it to settle the day with marginal gains of 10.30 points at 23,668.65. Excluding IT, all the other sectors ended in the red, with PSU Banking and Media being the worst performers. The broader market underperformed the Frontline Index, as both Mid and Smallcaps saw a correction of 1.06% & 1.56% respectively.

With a possible hidden bearish divergence, the Index has formed a bearish candlestick pattern near its previous high, signaling a potential trend reversal. The 23,800 level remains a key resistance point, while support is found at 23,400.

Dilip Parmar, Research Analyst, HDFC Securities

The Indian rupee halted its nine-day winning streak, reflecting a shift in market sentiment towards risk aversion. The increased demand for dollars from importers, coupled with the greenback's recovery against major currencies, weighed on the rupee.

In the coming days, we could see some bargain buying from market participants as the financial year-end approaches.

From a technical perspective, the USD/INR pair is supported at 85.40, with resistance at 86.25.

Currency Check | Rupee closes 13 paise lower

Indian rupee ended 13 paise lower at 85.76 per dollar on Tuesday versus Monday's close of 85.63.

Market Close | Market fails to hold gains, ends flat; IT stocks outperform

Indian equity indices ended flat in the volatile session on March 25.

At close, the Sensex was up 32.81 points or 0.04 percent at 78,017.19, and the Nifty was up 10.30 points or 0.04 percent at 23,668.65. About 1019 shares advanced, 2868 shares declined, and 107 shares unchanged.

Except IT, all other sectoral indices ended in the red with auto, capital goods, consumer durables, metal, oil & gas, power, PSU bank, realty, telecom down 1-1.5 percent.

UltraTech Cement, Trent, Bajaj Finserv, Infosys, Grasim Industries were among major gainers on the Nifty, while losers were IndusInd Bank, Dr Reddy's Labs, Adani Enterprises, Coal India, Adani Ports.

BSE Midcap index shed 1 percent and Smallcap index was down 1.6 percent.

Search for at least 8 senior officials, including CEO, to start soon...Read More

Stock Market LIVE Updates | Dixon Technologies shares down most in 9 weeks

Sensex Today | Waaree Energies to set up additional module manufacturing lines at Gujarat plant

The company board approved establishment of an additional 1.6 GW Module manufacturing line at its unit situated at Brookshire, in the state of Texas, USA and setting up of additional module manufacturing lines with a Capacity of 3.2 GW at its plant in Chikhli, Dist: Navsari in the state of Gujarat.

Sensex Today | Nifty Realty index sheds 1.5%; snaps 5-day gaining streak

Punjab & Sind Bank shares have now extended gains for the fifth consecutive session, rising over 16 percent during the period. ...Read More

Brokerage Call | UBS upgrades Dalmia Bharat to 'buy' call, target price Rs 2,100

Sensex Today | BSE Metal index down 1%; Nalco, Vedanta, SAIL among top losers

Brokerage Call | Jefferies keeps 'buy' rating on Infosys, target price cut to Rs 1,835 from Rs 2,150

#1 Stock down nearly 20 percent on US growth concerns

#2 FY26 CC revenue growth estimated at 4-6 percent, even with slower discretionary spend

#3 Limited PE de-rating risk due to strong FCF conversion & higher payouts

#4 Cut EPS by 2-4 percent on slower growth but reiterate buy on attractive risk-reward

Markets@3 | Sensex, Nifty trade flat

The Sensex was up 73.71 points or 0.09 percent at 78,058.09, and the Nifty was up 34.40 points or 0.15 percent at 23,692.75. About 938 shares advanced, 2674 shares declined, and 84 shares unchanged.

The forecast assumes that the upcoming monsoon season will be normal and that commodity- especially crude-- prices will be soft....Read More

Currency Check | Rupee trades lower

Indian rupee is trading lower at 85.73 per dollar on Tuesday versus Monday's close of 85.63.

Sensex Today | BSE Consumer Durables index down 1.7%

Brokerage Call | UBS maintains 'buy' call on ACC, target price Rs 2,250

Stock Market LIVE Update | JSW Steel unit approves buyback of Rs 16.8 billion shares

The broader market indices underperformed benchmark index Nifty, which too was off highs as investors assessed the durability of the rally and tariff-related news flow....Read More

Brokerage Call | MOSL initiates 'buy' call on Suzlon Energy, target price Rs 70

#1 Global wind energy leader with 20.9GW capacity across 17 countries

#2 India’s top wind energy service provider with 15 GW capacity

#3 Vertically integrated operations, including R&D & manufacturing

#4 Estimated EPS CAGR of 63 percent over FY24-27

CLSA sees Bandhan as a key beneficiary of the MFI recovery cycle, supported by its shift toward secured loans. ...Read More

Markets@2 | Sensex up 170 pts, Nifty above 23700

The Sensex was up 169.85 points or 0.22 percent at 78,154.23, and the Nifty was up 70.70 points or 0.30 percent at 23,729.05. About 966 shares advanced, 2610 shares declined, and 88 shares unchanged.

Sensex Today | Sarda Energy's units started power generation

Sarda Energy informed that the Power Plant unit which was under maintenance on account of fire incident has started power generation and has reached to full load capacity on 24th March 2025.

Global Markets | Asian markets end mixed; Hang Seng down 2%, Nikkei up 0.5%

IndusInd Bank said the penalty imposed by Thane's Joint Commissioner of CGST & Central Excise pertains to 'various GST issues', and added that it may file an appeal against the said order....Read More

Stock Market LIVE Updates | Vakrangee plans to expand ATM network

Vakrangee plans to expand its ATM network by deploying 3,000 new ATM Machines in FY2025-26. As part of this expansion, the company will be setting up UPI-based ATM machines, enabling simpler and completely cardless cash withdrawals.

Sensex Today | Bansal Wire Industries enters into MoU with Ministry of Steel

The company has entered into Memorandum of Understanding with Ministry of Steel for availing the benefits/ incentives of the PLI scheme 1.1.

Sensex Today | BSE PSU index snap 7-day winning streak

Brokerage Call | UBS upgrades Ambuja Cements to 'buy' call, target price raised to Rs 620 from Rs 475

Sensex Today | DGTR recommends anti-dumping duty on imports of Acetonitrile

Stock Market LIVE Updates | Brigade Enterprises acquires 4.4-acre land parcel in East Bengaluru

The real estate company has acquired a 4.4-acre land parcel in East Bengaluru for the development of a residential project with a total development potential of 0.6 million square feet and a gross development value of approximately Rs 950 crore.

Stock Market LIVE Updates | Wipro develop AI-driven autonomous agents for Agentforce

The technology services and consulting company announced AI-driven autonomous agents for Agentforce to revolutionize experiences for patients, providers, payers, and healthcare companies while easing the heavy administrative burden across the healthcare industry.

Stock Market LIVE Updates | TTK Prestige's non-executive chairman resigns

T T Jagannathan has decided to step down as Non-Executive Chairman and Director of the company, effective March 24. T T Raghunathan will succeed T T Jagannathan as Non-Executive Chairman of the company, effective March 25. Currently, T T Raghunathan is the Vice-Chairman and Non-Executive Director of the company.

Sensex Today | BSE Auto index snaps 6-day fall

Stock Market LIVE Updates | IndusInd Bank shares extend gains on second day

According to Sources, IndusInd Bank’s external auditor PwC may table its report before the bank’s board on Friday. The report to also deal with extent of impact, initially assessed at 2.35% of net worth of IndusInd Bank.

Stock Market LIVE Updates | KPI Green Energy bags order

Sun Drops Energia, a subsidiary of KPI Green Energy, has been awarded Letters of Award for the development of solar power projects with a cumulative capacity of 13.80MW under our Captive Power Producer (CPP) business segment.

Stock Market LIVE Updates | Hyundai Motor India to invest Rs 694 crore to establish Tooling Centre in India

The Board has approved an investment of up to Rs 694 crore for establishing and operating a Tooling Centre in India.

Stock Market LIVE Updates | Krystal Integrated Services bags contract from SVC Co-Operative Bank

Krystal Integrated Services has received a contract from SVC Co-Operative Bank Limited (Bank) for providing Security services at various offices and branches of the Bank located in India.

The rise in defaults is being driven by overleveraging, sub-lending, and a recent state ordinance...Read More

Stock Market LIVE Updates | Cholamandalam Investment approve to appoint Vellayan Subbiah as whole-time director

The Board has approved the appointment of Vellayan Subbiah as a Whole-time Director, designated as the Executive Chairman of the company for 5 years, effective April 1.

Sesnex Today | BSE Telecom index down more than 1%; snaps 5-day gain

Markets@1 | Sensex, Nifty trade flat

The Sensex was up 50.19 points or 0.06 percent at 78,034.57, and the Nifty was up 23.40 points or 0.10 percent at 23,681.75. About 931 shares advanced, 2620 shares declined, and 80 shares unchanged.

Sensex Today | IRDAI finds serious lapses in claims settlement practices of Star Health Insurance: Sources

Government wants the company to raise funds on its own and will resort to debt conversion only if is left with no other choice...Read More

Stock Market LIVE Updates | Zomato, Swiggy shares fall, Macquarie remains cautious

The shares of online food delivery platforms Zomato and Swiggy recorded strong losses of 2 percent and 4 percent respectively on March 25, after international brokerage Macquarie said it remains cautious and prefers shares of Devyani International and Westlife Foodworld - both plays in the restaurant space - hoping a rising discretionary spend drives consumption recovery. Read More

IndusInd Bank said the penalty imposed by Thane's Joint Commissioner of CGST & Central Excise pertains to 'various GST issues', and added that it may file an appeal against the said order....Read More

Sensex Today | 1.01 million shares of Delhivery traded in a block: Bloomberg

Stock Market LIVE Updates | Britannia Industries' Gujarat plant operations affected partially due to strike

The company's operations at its plant in Jhagadia, Gujarat have been partially affected due to a strike that commenced on March 24. The company is in continuous discussion with workers to resolve the situation amicably. At present, the impact of this event is being assessed, and the company is managing demand through available resources.

Sensex Today | Nifty IT index up 1%; Coforge, Infosys, Persistent Systems, among major gainers

Stock Market LIVE Updates | Tata Consumer Products reappoints Sunil D’Souza as MD and CEO

Shareholders have approved the reappointment of Sunil D’Souza as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company for 5 years, effective April 4.

Sensex Today | Nifty index erase nearly 200 points from day's high

Stock Market LIVE Updates | Central Government appoints S. K. Majumdar as Executive Director of Canara Bank

The Central Government has appointed S. K. Majumdar as Executive Director of the bank for three years. Currently, S. K. Majumdar is the Chief General Manager and GCFO of the bank.

Stock Market LIVE Updates | NHPC completes trial run of Unit-2 of Parbati-II HE project

The company has completed the trial run of Unit-2 (200 MW) of the Parbati-II HE project (4x200 MW) in Himachal Pradesh. The trial run of the remaining 3 units of the Parbati-II HE project is expected to be completed by March 31, 2025.

Domestic brokerage JM Financial expects a strong rally in the BSE 500 index over the next one to six months, urging investors to buy on dips....Read More

Stock Market LIVE Updates | Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services appoints Ramganesh Iyer as COO

The Board has approved the appointment of Ramganesh Iyer as Chief Operating Officer of the company, effective April 10.

Sensex Today | Nifty Midcap index snaps six day's winning run

Sensex Today | MRPL appoints Devendra Kumar as director finance & CFO w.e.f March 25

Stock Market LIVE Updates | ICICI Securities becomes wholly owned subsidiary of ICICI Bank

Effective March 24, ICICI Securities has become a wholly owned subsidiary of the bank and is deemed to have been delisted from the stock exchanges.

Stock Market LIVE Updates | United Spirits board meeting on March 27

The Board will meet on March 27 to consider the declaration of an interim dividend, if any.

Global Markets | Asian markets trade mixed; Hang Seng down 2%, Kospi down 0.5%

Chinese shares led losses in Asia, with regional markets struggling to build on the risk-on momentum driven by earlier bets of less expansive tariffs in April.

Markets@12 | Sensex up 190 pts, Nifty above 23700

The Sensex was up 188.26 points or 0.24 percent at 78,172.64, and the Nifty was up 54.90 points or 0.23 percent at 23,713.25. About 940 shares advanced, 2555 shares declined, and 97 shares unchanged.

Stock Market LIVE Updates | Rulka Electricals secures orders of Rs 12.36 crore

Rulka Electricals has announced new confirmed orders totalling Rs 12,36,28,856 across various projects. These orders include contracts for electrical works, firefighting systems, IT infrastructure, and CCTV installations across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Gujarat.

The new tariffs could hit China and India, with experts pointing out that Venezuela exports oil to both those countries, and to the United States and Spain...Read More

Stock Market LIVE Updates | NCLT sanctions scheme of amalgamation of Aditya Birla Finance

The National Company Law Tribunal, Ahmedabad, has sanctioned the scheme of amalgamation of Aditya Birla Finance with the parent company.

Stock Market LIVE Update | NBCC India gets Rs 6.58 billion order

Stock Market LIVE Update | Nila Infra wins Rs 635.2 million order

Stock Market LIVE Update | Mangalore Refinery appoints Devendra Kumar as Dir, CFO

Stock Market LIVE Update | Bajel Projects Ltd bags EPC work valued between Rs. 100 Cr to Rs. 200 Cr

The Company has been awarded a Large* EPC Order by Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited (MPPTCL).

Markets@11 | Sensex up 150 pts, Nifty at 23700

The Sensex was up 152.48 points or 0.20 percent at 78,136.86, and the Nifty was up 43.10 points or 0.18 percent at 23,701.45. About 1103 shares advanced, 2308 shares declined, and 128 shares unchanged.

Sensex Today | India volatility index up more than 4%

Stock Market LIVE Updates | Kalpataru Projects win order

Kalpataru Projects International secured notification of awards / comfort letters of approximately Rs 2,366 crores.

The orders are in the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) business in India and overseas market and order in the Buildings and Factories (B&F) business in India.

Currently, US charges nearly zero duties on pharmaceutical imports. India on the other hand imposes around 10 percent tax on pharma imports from US....Read More

Sensex Today | BSE Oil & Gas index down 1%; snaps 6-day gains

Stock Market LIVE Updates | SBI Life Insurance Company receives I-T demand order

The company has received an Income Tax Order from the Income Tax Department, demanding tax and interest of Rs 431 crore.

Stock Market LIVE Updates | CGST imposes penalty on IndusInd Bank

The CGST and Central Excise, Thane, has imposed a penalty of Rs 30.15 crore on the bank for various GST issues. The bank will explore filing an appeal against the order.

Stock Market LIVE Updates | Sensex erases more than 500 points from day's high

Sensex Today | Nifty50 index erases 150 points from day's high