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EQUITY
Post Session: Quick Review
Aug-21-2025

Indian equity benchmarks ended higher for the sixth consecutive session on the weekly F&O expiry day. Index made a slightly positive start and remained higher throughout day, as traders took support with a survey showed India's private sector activity expanded at the fastest pace on record in August, powered by a historic surge in demand led by the dominant services sector, which allowed firms to hike prices at the fastest clip in over 12 years. In last leg of trade, markets erased some of their gains, but ended above neutral lines.

Some of the important factors in today’s trade:

India’s flash composite PMI surges to 65.2 in August: Sentiments remained upbeat as HSBC's flash India Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, rocketed to 65.2 in August from 61.1 last month.

EPFO registers record net addition of nearly 22 lakh members in June: Some support also came as the Labour Ministry in its latest payroll data has showed that retirement fund body Employees' Provident Fund Organisation's (EPFO) recorded a 13.46% year-on-year growth in net member addition of 21.89 lakh in June.

Exports of major textile commodities increase 5.37% to $3.10 billion in July 2025: Traders took note of Textile Ministry’s statement that exports of major textile commodities increased 5.37 per cent to $3.10 billion in July 2025 compared to $2.94 billion in the year-ago period, despite global uncertainties.

Global front: European markets were trading in red after HCOB's latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) Survey showed a decline in services sector activity. Asian markets ended mixed as investors awaited policy signals from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

The BSE Sensex ended at 82000.71, up by 142.87 points or 0.17% after trading in a range of 81921.22 and 82231.17. There were 15 stocks advancing against 14 stocks declining on the index, while one stock remained unchanged. (Provisional)

The broader indices ended mixed; the BSE Mid cap index was down by 0.12%, while Small cap index up by 0.01%. (Provisional)

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Healthcare up by 0.61%, Realty up by 0.46%, Industrials up by 0.25%, Oil & Gas up by 0.19% and Energy up by 0.12%, while Power down by 0.94%, Utilities down by 0.63%, FMCG down by 0.53%, PSU down by 0.43% and Auto down by 0.41% were the top losing indices on BSE. (Provisional) 

The top gainers on the Sensex were Bajaj Finserv up by 1.12%, ICICI Bank up by 0.97%, Reliance Industries up by 0.89%, Bajaj Finance up by 0.84% and Larsen & Toubro up by 0.80%. On the flip side, Power Grid down by 1.51%, Eternal down by 1.46%, Hindustan Unilever down by 1.08%, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone down by 0.95% and NTPC down by 0.92% were the top losers. (Provisional)

Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra at the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meet said that Indian economy presents a picture of strength, stability, and opportunity. The RBI held MPC meet from August 4 to 6 while stressing that the monetary policy needs to remain watchful as uncertainties of US tariffs are still evolving. Now, the RBI released the minutes of the MPC Meeting held. Malhotra and five other members of the MPC voted for keeping the short-term lending rate at 5.5 per cent.

As per the minutes, the Governor said ‘Overall, our economy presents a picture of strength, stability, and opportunity. India’s strong fundamentals, growth-inducing policies, and forward-looking economic strategy clearly place it in a strong position’. He said while growth has remained steady, inflation outcomes have been far more benign on account of higher food price moderation. He added ‘Although we are likely to see inflation undershooting the target in the near term, with a likelihood of monthly numbers even crossing the lower tolerance band of 2 per cent, headline inflation is projected to inch up from Q3 onwards. The uncertainties of tariffs are still evolving’. Given the current state of uncertainty on the external front, he opined monetary policy needs to remain watchful. He also said the CRR cut, which is likely to kick in from next month, will facilitate further monetary transmission and stimulate economic activity. 

According to the minutes, Executive Director Rajiv Ranjan said overall, growth remains resilient, supported by public capex, rural demand, and steady services activity, although industry shows some unevenness. External member Ram Singh said that to respond to an unpredictable set of events, it is crucial to maintain policy options, in terms of the number of policy tools that can be used as well as their force. MPC member Nagesh Kumar said while the case for stimulating private investments and urban demand remains, and the benign inflation outlook provides policy space, ‘we may wish to wait and watch’ as the transmission of the existing actions takes place and how the trade policy uncertainties play out before considering policy actions at the October meeting of the MPC.

The CNX Nifty ended at 25083.75, up by 33.20 points or 0.13% after trading in a range of 25054.90 and 25153.65. There were 23 stocks advancing against 27 stocks declining on the index. (Provisional)

The top gainers on Nifty were Cipla up by 3.02%, Dr. Reddy's Lab up by 2.51%, Bajaj Finserv up by 1.10%, ICICI Bank up by 1.08% and SBI Life Insurance up by 1.01%. On the flip side, Coal India down by 1.70%, Bajaj Auto down by 1.62%, Tata Consumer Products down by 1.56%, Power Grid Corp down by 1.53% and Eternal down by 1.45% were the top losers. (Provisional)

European markets were trading lower; UK’s FTSE 100 decreased 21.94 points or 0.24% to 9,266.20, Germany’s DAX lost 38.57 points or 0.16% to 24,238.40 and France’s CAC fell 40.03 points or 0.5% to 7,933.00.

Asian markets ended mostly higher on Thursday ahead of policy signals from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who is expected to speak on Friday at the Fed's annual conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Seoul shares rose, with defense and shipbuilding shares leading the surge on expectations of rising global arms demand. Chinese shares gained, hitting a new 10-year high amid easing trade tensions and fresh government moves to stabilize jobs and spending. However, Hong Kong shares declined on disappointing corporate earnings and cellphone shipment reports. Japanese markets fell as technology shares tracked their US peers lower. 

Asian Indices

Last Trade            

Change in Points

Change in %      

Shanghai Composite

3,771.10

4.89

0.13

Hang Seng

25,104.61

-61.33

-0.24

Jakarta Composite

7,890.72

-53.11

-0.67

KLSE Composite

1,592.87

4.66

0.29

Nikkei 225

42,610.17

-278.38

-0.65

Straits Times

4,230.90

11.36

0.27

KOSPI Composite

3,141.74

11.65

0.37

Taiwan Weighted

23,962.13

336.69

1.41
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