Indian Stock Market Trends: Sensex & Nifty Plunge – Key Insights for January 21, 2026
Discover the surprising turn on October 24, 2025 — which Sensex and Nifty stocks soared, which sank, and what’s driving it all. From GDP signals to RBI’s stance and top stock picks, this market insight might just change your next investment move.
The Indian stock market continues to navigate global and domestic dynamics with cautious optimism. On Friday, October 24, 2025, both BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty 50 are expected to remain range-bound after showing resilience through a volatile week. The Bank Nifty index remains a focal point as banking stocks lead market direction, supported by strong earnings but constrained by overbought technical setups.
Current Market Overview
On Thursday, the Nifty 50 closed at 25,891.40, up 0.09%, while the Sensex settled at 84,556.40, a 0.15% gain. The benchmark indices faced resistance near key psychological levels—Nifty near 26,000 and Sensex approaching 85,000—before profit-booking capped upside movement.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) turned net sellers of ₹1,165.94 crore, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) remained strong buyers with inflows of ₹3,893.73 crore. The market breadth was moderately positive, showing around 1,400 stocks advancing against 950 declining on the NSE.
Key Economic Indicators Shaping Market Sentiment
GDP Growth
India’s economy remains robust with GDP projections for FY 2025–26 upgraded to 6.8%, driven by strong consumption and government-led capex. The IMF and OECD both revised their forecasts upward, citing domestic demand and industrial output improvement.
Inflation Trends
CPI inflation eased to 2.6%, its lowest in over eight years, as per the RBI’s October 2025 report. Falling food and fuel prices, coupled with stable supply chains, helped curb price pressures, providing policymakers with breathing room for accommodative growth.
RBI Monetary Policy
The RBI maintained the repo rate at 5.50%, signaling stability amid global rate volatility. Its neutral stance underscores confidence in balancing inflation control with growth momentum. The current account deficit dropped to 0.2% of GDP, bolstered by IT exports and remittances.
Employment and Fiscal Health
Urban job growth and MSME expansion continue to improve employment conditions, while rural demand recovery is visible in FMCG and automobile sales. Fiscal prudence and improved tax compliance further support infrastructural spending.
Technical Analysis: Nifty, Sensex, and Bank Nifty
Nifty 50 Outlook
As per the latest technical charts, the Nifty 50 has entered a consolidation phase between 25,600 (support) and 26,100 (resistance). A move above 26,100 could trigger a breakout toward 26,300, while a fall below 25,600 may invite short-term correction.
Sensex Outlook
The Sensex, which touched an intraday high near 85,300, may continue to face profit-taking near resistance zones. The bias remains neutral to mildly bullish as long as support around 84,000 holds.
Bank Nifty Predictions
The Bank Nifty, which recently hit a new high before retreating, trades near 58,078 with clear support at 57,837 and resistance at 58,267. Technical indicators suggest high volatility in this range. Bank stocks such as IDFC First Bank, Axis Bank, and Bandhan Bank led gains, signaling continued institutional preference for financials.
Sector Performance Snapshot
| Sector | Performance Trend | Key Drivers |
| Banking & Financials | Positive | Rising credit demand, strong Q2 results from private lenders |
| IT & Technology | Moderate gains | Margin resilience and stable global outlook |
| Pharma | Steady | Export orders recovery, strong Q2 earnings |
| FMCG | Mild recovery | Falling input costs, rural revival |
| Metals & Cement | Mixed | Volatility in commodity prices |
| Energy & Oil | Weak | Crude price swings, global demand concerns |
Top 10 Gainers and Losers (NSE/BSE)
Here is the list of Top 10 Gainers and Losers in the Indian stock market for Friday, 24 October 2025, based on current NSE/BSE live data from official market sources.
Top 10 Gainers (NSE/BSE)
| Rank | Stock Name | Last Traded Price (₹) | % Change | Key Highlights |
| 1 | Sikko Industries Ltd (SIKKO) | 124.21 | +20.00% | Surge on strong Q2 earnings and agri-chemical demand uptick |
| 2 | Bhageria Industries Ltd (BHAGERIA) | 233.59 | +20.00% | Renewable energy portfolio expansion and record export orders |
| 3 | Coastal Corporation Ltd (COASTCORP) | 44.80 | +19.98% | Strong seafood export growth and stable rupee benefits |
| 4 | FCS Software Solutions Ltd (FCSSOFT) | 2.53 | +19.91% | Heavy retail participation and IT smallcap momentum |
| 5 | Kitex Garments Ltd (KITEX) | 215.02 | +15.12% | Textile order recovery and investor optimism in manufacturing |
| 6 | Latteys Industries Ltd (LATTEYS) | 34.90 | +13.61% | Positive management guidance and pump segment growth |
| 7 | Epack Prefab Ltd (EPACKPEB) | 229.90 | +13.01% | Construction sector uptick and institutional buying |
| 8 | Arihant Capital Markets (ARIHANTCAP) | 112.79 | +12.36% | Strong Q2 profits amid rising retail trading volumes |
| 9 | Bag Films & Media Ltd (BAGFILMS) | 7.70 | +12.24% | Entertainment sector rally and re-rating in midcaps |
| 10 | Donear Industries Ltd (DONEAR) | 102.79 | +12.08% | Textile revival theme and valuation attract FIIs |
Top 10 Losers (NSE/BSE)
| Rank | Stock Name | Last Traded Price (₹) | % Change | Key Highlights |
| 1 | Captronic Systems RE (CAPTRU-RE1) | 5.82 | -17.33% | Rights issue adjustment and low trading volume |
| 2 | Zee Media Corporation (ZEEMEDIA) | 10.21 | -10.12% | Ongoing debt concerns and weak media sentiment |
| 3 | IFB Agro Industries Ltd (IFBAGRO) | 1,015.20 | -9.55% | Margins under pressure amid rising raw material costs |
| 4 | Gallantt Ispat Ltd (GALLANTT) | 540.00 | -9.34% | Steel price correction hitting midcap metal stocks |
| 5 | Krishana Phoschem Ltd (KRISHANA) | 532.85 | -9.33% | Fertilizer export weakness and inventory build-up |
| 6 | Ashapura Minechem Ltd (ASHAPURMIN) | 604.00 | -9.27% | Profit booking after recent multi-week rally |
| 7 | GSLSU Ltd (GSLSU) | 103.25 | -7.97% | Weak quarterly guidance and retail profit-taking |
| 8 | Kernex Microsystems (KERNEX) | 1,229.00 | -7.72% | Correction after railway infra gains; high valuations |
| 9 | Avalon Technologies Ltd (AVALON) | 1,125.00 | -7.40% | Valuation-driven profit booking in electronics manufacturing |
| 10 | Yatra Online Ltd (YATRA) | 156.15 | -7.18% | Weak travel segment performance post festive surge |
Top 10 Stocks to Buy (24 October 2025)
| Stock | Sector | Rationale | Risk |
| HDFC Bank | Banking | Attractive P/E of 18x; steady earnings growth | Moderate due to sector rotation |
| Infosys | IT | Strong revenue visibility, 2% dividend yield | Global tech slowdown risk |
| Larsen & Toubro | Infra | High order inflows, capex-led growth | Execution delays |
| Maruti Suzuki | Auto | Demand rebound, SUV portfolio strength | Input cost inflation |
| NTPC | Energy | Green transition play, 4% dividend yield | Policy risk |
| Sun Pharma | Pharma | Strong exports, new USFDA approvals | Regulatory |
| Hindustan Unilever | FMCG | Stable margins, defensive bet | Valuation at premium |
| Axis Bank | Financials | High ROE, strong loan growth | Rising NPAs in retail risk |
| Tata Motors | Auto | EV growth and JLR margin improvement | Global slowdown |
| Coal India | PSU | Dividend yield >6%, steady cash flows | ESG sentiment weakness |
These picks balance growth, value, and income strategies, catering to diversified investors across market cycles.
Portfolio Diversification Strategy
To reduce volatility, a sector-balanced approach is ideal. A 60% equity allocation can be structured as follows:
- 25% in Banking and NBFCs (HDFC Bank, Axis Bank)
- 15% in IT (Infosys, TCS)
- 10% in FMCG (HUL, ITC)
- 10% in Pharma (Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s)
- 10% in Industrials (L&T, Siemens)
- 5% in Autos (Maruti, Tata Motors)
- 5% in Energy (NTPC, ONGC)
Investors should maintain 20% in debt or liquid funds to mitigate corrections and leverage Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) to average costs over time.
Global and Domestic Triggers to Watch
- US Federal Reserve’s policy stance and global bond yields
- Crude oil price fluctuations ($83–$87/barrel range)
- Q3 corporate results and festive season demand data
- FII and DII activity trends
- INR/USD stability and geopolitical events in Asia-Pacific
Final Thought
As of Friday, 24 October 2025, the Indian stock market appears fundamentally sound yet technically overextended in pockets. With GDP growth poised at 6.8%, inflation controlled at 2.6%, and the RBI sustaining a 5.50% repo rate, India remains one of the most resilient large economies globally. The short-term outlook for Nifty and Bank Nifty is range-bound to mildly bullish, supported by domestic flows and steady corporate profits.
For investors, this is a “buy on dips” phase with a focus on quality and diversification—balancing growth in financials and IT with defensive stability in FMCG and energy. Markets may consolidate in the near term, but the long-term trend for Indian equities remains decisively upward.
Disclaimer: This professional analysis is for informational purposes and reflects the latest publicly available data. Investment decisions should consider individual objectives and may benefit from consultation with a registered financial advisor.
