Stock Market Live Updates: Sensex and Nifty Gain Modestly As Markets Show Positive Sentiment Now

To bring clarity in taxation within the online gaming sector, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that the Finance Act, 2023, introduced a 30% income tax on net winnings from online games, effective from the assessment year 2024–25. Additionally, from October 1, 2023, a 28% GST applies to online gaming services. All suppliers of online money gaming must register under the Simplified Registration Scheme as per the IGST Act, 2017. Offshore gaming operators are also subject to these regulations, aiming to tighten compliance and ensure proper tax collection in the growing digital gaming space.

Shares of Aurobindo Pharma closed at Rs 1,056.70, down Rs 33.60 or 3.08%. The stock traded between a high of Rs 1,088.95 and a low of Rs 1,039.30 during the session. It hit a 52-week high of Rs 1,592.55 on September 13, 2024, and a 52-week low of Rs 994.35 on April 7, 2025. Currently, Aurobindo Pharma’s stock is trading 33.65% below its 52-week high but remains 6.27% above its 52-week low. The recent decline reflects some profit booking after a period of volatility.

Nazara Tech fell 5% and Delta Corp slipped over 3% following government plans to introduce a bill banning online money gaming in Parliament. This move puts online gaming companies under scrutiny, impacting investor sentiment and stock performance.

Infosys teams up with Australia’s Uniting Financial Services to implement the Finacle Digital Banking Suite. This collaboration aims to modernize UFS’s core banking, improve customer experience, and accelerate product launches with flexible, scalable digital solutions.

The Indian stock markets opened on a cautious note today. The Sensex started at 81,612.24, down 32 points, while the Nifty opened near 24,960, slipping by 20 points. Investors are staying careful ahead of major global events and key economic data.

Gold prices declined to their lowest in nearly three weeks, pressured by a stronger US dollar. Spot gold slipped 0.1% to $3,312.79 per ounce, reaching its weakest level since August 1. The rise in the dollar makes gold more expensive for holders of other currencies, reducing demand for the precious metal. Investors are closely watching currency movements and central bank signals as key factors influencing gold’s price. With the US dollar gaining strength ahead of the Federal Reserve’s upcoming Jackson Hole symposium, gold’s near-term outlook remains under pressure.

The dollar continued its upward move on Wednesday, gaining after two consecutive days of strength. Traders are focused on the upcoming Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium, hoping for clues about future monetary policy. The dollar index, which compares the US dollar against six major currencies, rose to 98.393 early Wednesday—its highest level since August 12. So far this week, the index has gained about 0.4%. Investors are closely watching for any signals from the Fed that could impact interest rates and the dollar’s direction in the coming months.

Jefferies expects tariff changes by Jio and Bharti Airtel to boost data usage among consumers. These tweaks could lead to an increase in Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) by 4% to 8%, signaling healthier earnings for telecom companies. Among the players, Bharti Airtel stands out as the preferred investment choice, with Jefferies setting a target price of ₹2,500 per share. This optimistic outlook reflects confidence in Airtel’s ability to capitalize on rising data demand and improved pricing strategies. Investors should watch these developments closely as the telecom sector shows promising growth potential.

Tech stocks took a hit on Tuesday as investors got nervous ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s speech at the Jackson Hole conference later this week. The Nasdaq dropped sharply by 1.46%, losing 314.82 points to close at 21,314.95. The S&P 500 also slipped 0.59%, down 37.78 points to 6,411.37. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones managed to stay mostly steady, rising slightly by 10.45 points to 44,922.27. With so much focus on what Powell will say about interest rates, markets are feeling cautious, especially in the tech sector.

Markets may face headwinds today as global cues turn negative. Asian markets are in the red, with Japan’s Nikkei falling over 1% after the country reported its steepest export drop in over four years. China added to the cautious mood by keeping lending rates unchanged, signaling limited policy support.

GIFT Nifty is also hinting at a weak start for Indian equities. Meanwhile, Wall Street closed mixed, the Dow posted small gains, but tech stocks dragged the Nasdaq lower.

Investors are on edge ahead of the Fed minutes and Jerome Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole on Friday. US futures are slightly down, and Home Depot’s weaker earnings added to the nervousness.

Adding to the noise, former US President Trump criticized Fed Chair Powell, blaming him for hurting the housing market. Gold and oil prices are also slipping, reflecting uncertainty.

All in all, caution may dominate sentiment today.

Markets stayed strong on Tuesday, August 19, with bulls firmly in control. The Nifty crossed the 25,000 mark during the day, though it couldn’t hold above it due to some profit booking at higher levels. Still, it was a solid session.

The Sensex closed 371 points higher at 81,644.39, while the Nifty rose 103.70 points to end at 24,980.65. Midcap and smallcap indices also did well, each gaining around 1%.

Curious which stocks led the rally? Tata Motors, Adani Ports, Reliance Industries, Hero MotoCorp, and Bajaj Auto were among the top gainers. On the flip side, Dr Reddy’s, Cipla, and Hindalco were under pressure.

Most sectors were buzzing- telecom, FMCG, media, auto, and oil & gas all rose 1%. Only pharma lagged behind.

Let’s see how the week unfolds!

GIFT Nifty is pointing to a weak opening for the Indian stock market, indicating a loss of 45 points or 0.18 percent. As of now, Nifty futures are trading near the 24,965.50 mark, suggesting a cautious tone among traders ahead of the market open. This early dip reflects global uncertainties and profit-booking at higher levels. Investors may want to watch key support levels and monitor FII activity for further direction. A subdued start could lead to stock-specific action as the day unfolds. Stay tuned for early market cues and sectoral trends.