Here is our Wrap of the Day wherein we take a look at key headlines from the Financial Markets that drew attention, including a brief analysis of the Economic Survey along with the recent Fed policy decision followed by chair Powell’s comments, among others. Alongside we also take a look at the performance of the Indian Equity Market Indices- broader and sector-wise along with the institutional trading activity, and the US Markets.
Let us begin with..
WRAP OF THE DAY
The benchmark Indices Sensex and Nifty staged a recovery and ended higher for the third consecutive day in another volatile session as Sensex closed more than 850 points from the day’s low while Nifty ended up above 25400 level. About 1,638 shares advanced, 2,426 shares declined, and 138 shares were unchanged. Session F&O Expiry, a surging Metal index along with Economic Survey projecting GDP growth of 6.8-7.2% for FY27, drove the investor sentiment, and could be attributed as reasons behind the rebound today.
Global cues were mostly flat as Asian markets traded lower, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 and China’s Shanghai Composite index in the red. US markets ended mostly flat overnight. Looking ahead, markets may remain volatile until the Union Budget.
Finance Flashcards Newsroom
TOP HEADLINES
- US Federal Reserve hold interest rates steady, Powell defends central bank independence
The US Federal Reserve voted to keep the interest rates steady, as the chair Jerome Powell defended the importance of central bank independence. The federal funds rate will continue between 3.5% to 3.75%, with Powell stating that the economic activity in the country “has been expanding at a solid pace”. While commenting on the decision to keep rates on hold, Powell said: “The economy has once again surprised us with its strength.”
Despite a criminal investigation launched against Powell over his testimony to the Senate about renovations to Fed buildings, the chair declined to comment on the probe while cautioning that it would be hard to restore the credibility of the institution, if the central bank lost its independence to political interferences, among other factors.
According to Powell, “The outlook for economic activity has clearly improved since the last meeting.” Concerns about a slowing job market outweighed inflation fears in the second half of 2025. Cutting interest rates is aimed at stimulating the job market by creating lower borrowing costs for businesses.
- India’s economic growth projected at 7%, as per Economic Survey
Ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget, the central government claimed that India will maintain its position as the fastest growing major economies with medium-term growth potential accelerating to 7% from 6.5% three years back. As per the Economic survey tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow in the range of 6.8 to 7.2% in the financial year 2026-27.
As per V. Anantha Nageswaran, sustained domestic reforms and public investment are behind higher than anticipated growth in current fiscal year. The survey offers government’s official assessment of the state of economy and the outlook for the coming year ahead. The report also noted that demand-led growth in the economy has unfolded alongside a marked easing of inflation, which has improved real purchasing power and supported consumption.
EQUITY MARKET RECAP
INDIAN INDICES
GLOBAL MARKETS
INDIAN MARKET WRAP
Indices
At close, Sensex was up 221.69 points or 0.27 percent at 82,566.37, and the Nifty was up 76.15 points or 0.30 percent at 25,418.90. Sensex’s intraday low was 81,707 while Nifty’s day’s low was 25,238.
Among broader indices, Nifty midcap and smallcap indices ended with marginal gains.
Sector and Stock Movement
Nifty Metal index gained 1.9% to hit a record high with twelve of its 15 constituents in green including Hindustan Copper surging 20% to an all-time high among major gainers. Heavyweight financials, which were in the red before the release of the Economic Survey, closed 0.6% higher, while private banks gained 1%.
L&T, Tata Steel, Eternal, Axis Bank, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles were among top gainers on the Nifty, while losers were Asian Paints, SBI Life Insurance, Interglobe Aviation, Maruti Suzuki and Tata Consumer. More than 270 stocks touched 52-week low including Vedant Fashions, Doms Industries, Havells India, among others while more than 100 stocks touched 52-week high including Hindustan Copper, MCX India, ONGC, Jindal Steel, among others.
Institutional Trading Activity
DIIs purchased shares worth Rs 24,424 crore and sold shares worth Rs 21,785 crore. In contrast, FIIs bought shares worth Rs 20,213 crore but sold shares totaling Rs 20,607 crore. Overall, the foreign investors (FIIs) were net sellers while the domestic institutions (DIIs) were net buyers of Indian equities today.
That’s all in our today’s edition of Wrap of the Day from the Markets. Until next time..
