The Stock Markets today opened up with confusion, the bull and the bear forces pulling their way out. This resulted in flat sentiments for majority of the time traded today. The benchmark indices closed with mild gains- Nifty50 closing at 25,050.55, 67.75 points (0.27%) up; and Sensex closed at 81,857.84, gaining 0.26% i.e. 213.45 points higher. IT and FMCG sectors drove the market towards gains, while Media, Defence, Pharma and Bank indices being the laggards.
ALSO READ | LIVE – Indian Stock Market | 20 August, 2025 : Nifty-Sensex close with moderate gains
Flat red closing
Market mood was generally upbeat during the day despite the dull opening after a mixed trend in global shares. The Nifty50 and Sensex opened in the red initially, following losses in key Asian markets and fears before the US Federal Reserve’s annual Jackson Hole symposium. But buying interest in heavyweights, particularly in IT and consumer segments, quickly erased the losses and drove the indices into the positive range by mid-session.
ALSO READ | 19 August, 2025 : The Green Momentum continues
Gainers and laggards of the show
IT shares stole the show, leading sectoral advances by gaining nearly 2.3% at close, based on solid institutional commentary and hopes of better earnings in FY26. Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services were among the top gainers in the Nifty, with Infosys gaining 4%. FMCG also registered good gains, advancing 1.3%, as sectoral indices like Media and Pharma underperformed, closing lower owing to profit booking and the spillover of regulatory updates.
ALSO READ | Reformed Slabs: ACs, Daily-use Products May Get Huge GST Slash
Mid-Caps and Small-Caps gained
The broader space sustained its strong upmove, with Nifty Midcap100 advancing 0.51% and Smallcap100 increasing 0.34%. Investors were actively moving into mid- and small-cap space, indicating faith in the domestic growth story, albeit with periodic corrections in large-caps.
Individual performances
Among individual stocks, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Hindustan Unilever, and Tata Steel also noted significant gains. Bajaj Finance, Tata Motors, BEL, and ICICI Bank, however, declined. Regime news on GST reforms and sectoral developments also underpinned positive sentiment in consumption-oriented segments such as autos and financials.
Analysts opine optimism
Analysts pointed out that hopes for another rally depend on international cues and resolution of trade tensions, particularly as tariff deadlines near. Technical analysts for now view 25,000 as a key resistance and psychological level for the Nifty, with interim support prevailing at 24,750-24,850.
ALSO READ | SEBI Rolls back Its IPO Provision, Retail Quota back to 35%
Overall, Indian equities continued to be bullish today despite global volatility. Sectors and market-cap participation reflect sustained investor confidence in India’s economic fundamentals as the markets approach high levels.