Stock Market Live Updates Highlights: Markets Rally Broadly As Sensex Rises 371 pts, Nifty Nears 25,000; Midcaps Surge- Reliance, Auto, Textile Lead Gains

Markets wrapped up Tuesday on a high note, with the broader indices stealing the spotlight and showing strong investor confidence across sectors. The Sensex ended the day up 371 points at 81,644, while the Nifty added 104 points to close at 24,981. Interestingly, the Nifty crossed the 25,000 mark during the session for the second day in a row, but couldn’t hold on to it by the close.

Indian equity markets opened on a firm note on Tuesday, August 19, following positive cues from GIFT Nifty and strong sectoral momentum. The Sensex rose 115.23 points to 81,388.98, while the Nifty 50 advanced 22.25 points, opening at 24,899.20. Optimism around GST rate rationalisation, steady global cues, and continued buying in auto and FMCG stocks boosted investor sentiment. Analysts expect the market to remain upbeat if global developments, including the upcoming Jackson Hole meeting, stay market-friendly. Early gains indicate strong domestic interest and a continuation of the bullish trend seen earlier this week.

The Nifty Auto index surged over 4% on Monday, August 18, driven by hopes of a GST rate cut. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day promise of GST reforms by Diwali, investors reacted positively to the prospect of lower GST rates for the auto sector. Major auto stocks like Maruti Suzuki and Ashok Leyland hit new highs during the session. The market enthusiasm reflects optimism that reduced taxes could boost sales and profitability in the industry. This rally highlights how policy changes can significantly impact sector performance and investor sentiment.

Asian markets showed a mixed performance, with Japan’s Nikkei pulling back from recent highs. Meanwhile, India’s GIFT Nifty futures indicate a mildly higher start for the market. In the US, futures remained muted as investors await key retail earnings from Home Depot, Walmart, and Target, along with the Federal Reserve’s highly anticipated Jackson Hole speech. Wall Street ended lower on cautious sentiment ahead of these events.

In other global news, SoftBank plans to invest $2 billion in Intel. The US 10-year Treasury yield edged up slightly to 4.3%, while the dollar strengthened amid ongoing US-Ukraine talks. Gold prices held steady as investors digest the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting, which also sparked a rise in oil prices. Zelenskyy is reportedly ready to talk with Putin and later join a trilateral meeting with Trump. Trump indicated the US might support security guarantees for Ukraine and help arrange talks between Putin and Zelenskyy. 

Wall Street’s major indexes ended largely unchanged on Monday as investors waited for corporate earnings from key retailers and the Federal Reserve’s annual Jackson Hole symposium. The Dow Jones fell slightly by 34.30 points (0.08%) to 44,911.82, the S&P 500 edged down 0.65 points (0.01%) to 6,449.15, while the Nasdaq gained 6.80 points (0.03%) to 21,629.77. The market struggled for direction amid cautious sentiment, reflecting investor uncertainty over the economy and future Fed policies. This muted tone may impact the Sensex’s movement today.

Indian markets kicked off the week on a strong note, with the Sensex climbing 676 points to 81,273.75 and the Nifty gaining 251 points to 24,882.50. The rally was fueled by S&P’s sovereign rating upgrade for India, easing oil prices after Trump-Putin talks, and hopes of GST rate rationalisation by October.

Buying was seen across most sectors, especially auto (up 4%), consumer durables, and realty. Top gainers included Maruti Suzuki, Hero MotoCorp, and Bajaj Finance, while ITC and Tech Mahindra saw some profit booking. It was a strong start to the week!

At Around 7:30 Am- Markets are set for a positive opening today, as trends on the GIFT Nifty indicate a gain of 23.5 points, or 0.09%. The Nifty futures were trading around the 24,986.50 mark, signaling optimism among investors. A positive GIFT Nifty trend typically reflects strong global cues or improved domestic sentiment, and it often sets the tone for the trading day in India. If this momentum holds, the broader Nifty 50 index could open higher and possibly test new levels. Traders and investors will be closely watching early market movements for confirmation.

But Right now at 8:42- The Gift Nifty Is trading at a little dip with 16 points lower at 24,947.