19/08/2025
The equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rallied on Monday, climbing nearly 1 percent on heavy buying in auto and consumer durables stocks, buoyed by plans for big bang reforms in the GST regime by Diwali.
Sensex jumped 676.09 points or 0.84 percent to settle at 81,273.75.
The Nifty climbed 245.65 points or 1 percent to end at 24,876.95
*Key factors driving the rally:*
*1) GST reform push: In his* Independence Day address on August 15, Prime Minister Modi said the Centre has circulated a draft of proposed GST changes to states and sought their cooperation to implement them before Diwali. Market experts said the proposal could shift most goods and services into the 5 percent and 18 percent slabs, benefiting sectors like autos and cement, which currently face a 28 percent tax. "Insurance companies are also expected to benefit from the revision," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.
*2) S&P upgrade: S&P Global* Ratings upgraded India's long-term sovereign credit rating on Thursday to ‘BBB' from ‘BBB-', the first upgrade since 2007, citing strong economic growth, improved policy credibility and fiscal consolidation. "Declarations by the prime minister on GST reforms and the S&P upgrade are strong positives for the market," Vijayakumar added. The equity markets were closed on Friday for Independence Day.
*Stock Market Today LIVE*
*3) Global cues* : Asian markets traded higher with Japan's Nikkei, Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong's Hang Seng in positive territory. Wall Street futures also pointed to a firm opening.
*4) Crude prices* : Brent crude slipped 0.05 percent to USD 65.82 per barrel. Softer crude prices ease concerns on India's import bill and inflation, supporting sentiment.
*5) Rupee gains* : The rupee strengthened 20 paise to 87.39 against the US dollar in early trade, tracking firm domestic equities. It had settled at 87.59 in the previous session.
*6) US softens tariff stance:* Market mood also improved after US President Donald Trump signalled that Washington may not impose secondary tariffs on countries continuing to buy Russian crude, easing concerns of a potential hit to India.
FIIs bought worth Rs 551 crore
DIIs bought worry Rs 4104 crore
*Global cues for today*
*GIFT Nifty (Gains)*
The GIFT Nifty is trading higher at around 24,992, indicating a firm opening for the day.
*Asian Equities (Mixed)*
Asian indices tracked Wall Street declines overnight ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting.
*US Equities (Flat)*
Wall Street's main indexes closed roughly flat on Monday, after struggling for direction while investors awaited a raft of corporate earnings reports from major retailers for more signs about the state of the economy and the Federal Reserve's annual symposium in Jackson Hole
*US Bond Yield (Down)*
The yield on 10-year Treasuries and 2-year Treasuries were trading with little change in the early Tuesday trade.
*Dollar Index (Flat)*
The U.S. dollar held steady against its major peers on Tuesday as global markets awaited the outcome of a White House summit with European nations that could determine the next phase of the war in Ukraine.
*Asian currencies (Down)*
Asian currencies were trading lower against the US dollar with Indonesian Rupiah leading the losers followed by Malaysian Ringgit, South Korean Won, Philippines Peso, Thai Baht.
*Crude (Slips)*
Oil prices slipped in early Asian trade on Tuesday as market participants contemplated planned three-way talks among Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. to end the war in Ukraine, which could lead to an end to sanctions on Russian crude.
*Gold (Flat)*
Gold was little changed as traders weighed US-led efforts to end the war in Ukraine, and counted down to the Federal Reserve's annual Jackson Hole gathering, which may yield hints on possible rate cuts.