Closing Bell: Sensex Closes At 82,000, Nifty Retains 25K; Financial, Healthcare Stocks Top Gainer

Indian equity markets are opened on a positive note on Thursday, following five consecutive sessions of gains. Early indicators suggest consolidation, with investors closely monitoring global developments and policy cues. Optimism continues to stem from potential Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, progress in the Russia-Ukraine peace dialogue and improving diplomatic signals between India and China.

As of 8:05 AM, GIFT Nifty futures were up by 18 points at 25,098, signaling a muted but slightly positive start for the benchmark indices.

Sector-wise Performances

On the sectoral front, IT stocks led the gains, rising 2.7% as anticipation builds ahead of the US Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole symposium later this month. These companies, heavily reliant on US revenues, benefited from expectations of supportive Fed commentary. Consumer stocks also saw traction, gaining 1.4%, driven by hopes that GST reform could unlock fresh domestic demand.

In contrast, financial stocks edged lower by 0.4%, acting as a drag on broader indices. Meanwhile, mid- and small-cap indices posted modest gains, rising 0.5% and 0.3% respectively, reflecting investor interest beyond the large-cap space.

Gaming companies were under pressure after reports emerged that the government may impose a ban on online money-based games. Shares of Nazara Technologies dropped sharply by 12.9%, while OnMobile Global slipped 3.4%, spooked by the regulatory uncertainty.

Global Market Recap

In global markets, the mood remained mixed. Asian equities opened unevenly, tracking volatility in the US. Japan's Nikkei 225 was down 0.3%, while South Korea's KOSPI gained around 1%, indicating a region-wide divergence in sentiment.

In the US, Wall Street ended on a mixed note. The S&P 500 dipped 0.24%, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.67%, hurt by continued pressure on technology shares. On the other hand, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed flat with a marginal positive bias, reflecting resilience in more defensive sectors.

LIVE Feed

Aug 21, 2025, 3:51 pm IST

Closing Bell: Sensex Closes At 82,000, Nifty Retains 25K; Financial, Healthcare Stocks Top Gainer

Closing Bell: Sensex Closes At 82,000, Nifty Retains 25K; Financial, Healthcare Stocks Top Gainer

Aug 21, 2025, 3:39 pm IST

Stock Market Live Updates: Sensex Closes At 82,000, Nifty Retains 25K; Financial, Healthcare Stocks Top Gainer

Stock Market Live Updates: Sensex Closes At 82,000, Nifty Retains 25K; Financial, Healthcare Stocks Top Gainer

Aug 21, 2025, 2:57 pm IST

Stock Market Live: Top Gainers, Top Losers

Stock Market Live: Cipla, Bajaj Finance, Dr Reddy’s, Bajaj Finserve, Bajaj Finance, Reliance, SBI Life, are among the top gainers. Bajaj Auto, Power Grid, Jio Finance, Tata Consumer, IndusInd Bank were among the top Nifty losers.

Aug 21, 2025, 2:54 pm IST

Stock Market Live: Motilal Oswal Intiates Coverage on HDB Financial Services

Stock Market Live: HDB Financial Services shares were trading 1.64% higher at Rs 801 per share on BSE on Thursday. At 2.7x FY27E P/BV, HDB offers exposure to a retail-heavy NBFC with a long runway for growth. As operating leverage kicks in and the cut in policy repo rates brings down the borrowing costs, we expect margin expansion and a gradual RoE improvement. We initiate coverage on the stock with a Neutral rating and a TP of INR860 (premised on 2.7x Sep’27E P/BV). With valuations largely factoring in medium-term growth potential, we would look for clearer evidence of stronger execution on loan growth, ability to better navigate industry/product cycles, and structural (not just cyclical) improvement in return ratios.

Aug 21, 2025, 2:48 pm IST

Stock Market Live Updates: Sensex Up 240 Pts; Nifty Above 25,100; Dr Reddy, Cipla, Bajaj Finserve Top Gainers

Stock Market Live Updates: Sensex Up 240 Pts; Nifty Above 25,100; Dr Reddy, Cipla, Bajaj Finserve Top Gainers

Aug 21, 2025, 9:52 am IST

Stock Market Live Updates: Ola Electric Shares Surge 30.5% in Two Days

Ola Electric shares extended their rally for a second straight session on Wednesday, August 20, surging 30.5% over two days.

Aug 21, 2025, 9:18 am IST

Stock Market Live Updates: Global Markets Eye Powell’s Jackson Hole Speech After Fed Minutes Signal Rate Pause

With the minutes of the July FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) meeting revealing broad consensus among Federal Reserve policymakers to keep the federal funds rate steady at 4.25% to 4.50%, attention has now shifted to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s upcoming speech at the Jackson Hole symposium on Friday. The minutes cited persistent inflation risks as the key reason for maintaining a cautious stance.

Aug 21, 2025, 8:29 am IST

Stock Market Live Updates: India's Oil Purchases From Russia Continues Amid Sanctions

Despite U.S. warnings, Russia plans to continue supplying oil to India and hopes for trilateral talks with India and China soon. Indian state-run refiners have resumed purchasing Russian oil for September and October deliveries after discounts widened.