Mumbai, October 31, 2025:
Indian equity markets ended on a muted note on Thursday, closing marginally lower after a choppy trading day. The BSE Sensex slipped around 45 points to close at 84,355, while the Nifty 50 declined by 24 points to settle at 25,854. Despite the subdued close, both indices recorded solid monthly gains, marking October as one of the best-performing months since March this year.
The session opened on a positive note, tracking firm global cues, but profit-booking emerged in the latter half, particularly in banking and IT counters. Analysts attributed the sideways move to investors consolidating positions after the strong October rally.
Foreign Inflows Revive Market Momentum
A key highlight of October was the return of foreign institutional investors (FIIs), who injected nearly $2 billion into Indian equities after three consecutive months of outflows. Renewed interest in Indian markets was driven by the country’s strong earnings season and resilience amid global volatility.
Market experts noted that India continues to outperform other emerging economies, thanks to its stable macroeconomic indicators and robust domestic demand. “After weeks of correction, the market seems to have regained its footing. Investors are optimistic about the festive demand cycle and upcoming Q3 earnings,” said one senior analyst at a leading brokerage.
Stock Highlights
In sectoral trends, metals and chemicals led the gains, with Navin Fluorine surging nearly 14% after reporting strong growth in its core specialty business. United Spirits climbed 5%, driven by a 41% jump in quarterly profit, while Tata Steel and JSW Steel also advanced amid firm global metal prices.
On the downside, Bandhan Bank fell over 5% after reporting an 88% decline in quarterly profit, weighed down by rising provisions in its microfinance segment. IT majors such as Infosys and Wipro also slipped marginally on weak global guidance and concerns over U.S. tech spending.
Broader Market Performance
The broader markets remained relatively stronger, with both Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 indices closing up by about 0.2% each. Domestic retail participation continued to show resilience, particularly in mid-tier manufacturing, PSU, and consumer segments.
Commodities and Currency
Brent crude oil hovered near $84 per barrel, providing some relief to the energy and logistics sectors. The Indian Rupee appreciated slightly to ₹83.12 per U.S. dollar, supported by sustained FII inflows and stable forex reserves.
Market Outlook
Analysts expect the near-term movement to remain range-bound as investors track cues from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy stance and upcoming corporate earnings from heavyweights like Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, and Infosys.
Technical experts note immediate support for Nifty around 25,800, with resistance near the 26,000 mark. A breakout above this range could signal the start of another upward leg.
Despite short-term volatility, the broader sentiment remains positive, supported by the government’s infrastructure spending, manufacturing uptick, and a strong festive consumption trend.
📊 Market Summary (October 31, 2025):
- Sensex: 84,355 (▼45 pts)
- Nifty 50: 25,854 (▼24 pts)
- Brent Crude: $84/barrel
- Rupee: ₹83.12/USD
- FII Inflows: $1.94 billion in October