 "Markets snap six-session losing streak; Sensex up 584 pts, Nifty tops 25K")
India’s benchmark indices closed higher on Tuesday after six consecutive sessions of decline, as disappointment with China’s new stimulus measures lifted sentiment. Stocks also got a boost as investors deployed a buy-the-dip strategy following a 5 per cent fall over the previous six sessions. Heavyweights HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries were the biggest contributors to Sensex gains.
At close, the Sensex was up 584.81 points, or 0.72 per cent, at 81,634.81, and the Nifty soared 217.40 points, or 0.88 per cent, to settle at 25,013.20. The Nifty Midcap 100 and the Nifty Smallcap 100 also recorded gains of over 2 per cent.
In the previous six trading sessions, the Sensex and Nifty declined by 5.6 and 5.4 per cent, respectively, amid almost Rs 40,000 crore pullout by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs). The selloff was triggered by a 30 per cent jump in China and rising tensions in West Asia.
FPIs were net sellers of Rs 5,730 crore, while domestic institutions (DIIs) were net buyers of around Rs 7,000 crore.
The market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms surged by Rs 7.51 trillion during Tuesday’s rally.
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“Whenever the markets have corrected consecutively, the forward returns show promising recoveries. Despite short-term volatility, markets typically regain momentum in the medium term. The pullback by the FPIs has exacerbated this correction, but a key point of strength is the significant cash reserves held by domestic institutional investors and retail investors. They are well-positioned to capitalise on these corrections, providing a buffer against prolonged downturns,” said T Manish, research analyst, Samco Securities.
Manish said the recent correction was an opportune time to rebalance and accumulate quality stocks at lower valuations, potentially enhancing returns and generating better alpha over time.
The stock market rally in China lost steam after the country’s top economic planning agency did not announce major stimulus measures. The Hang Seng index declined 9.4 per cent on Tuesday, while the Shanghai Composite rose 4.6 per cent.
Equity market experts said any underperformance in Indian equities due to flows shifting to China is likely to be short-term, as India’s structural story remains attractive.
If valuations revert to more moderate levels, foreign investors would likely look to re-enter the market.
“Since 2020, recovery in the Chinese markets lasted for an average of two months before it resumed the downtrend, which pushed it to the oversold territory again,” said Amar Ambani, executive director of Yes Securities.
Going forward, the RBI’s monetary policy decision and the earnings season, which kicks off this week, will determine the market trajectory. Investors will also be keenly tracking the minutes of the Fed meeting, which will be released on Wednesday, along with jobs and inflation data from the US.
“The Nifty faces an immediate resistance zone around 25,150-25,300, with a significant hurdle still at 25,500. Traders should consider using this recovery to lighten positions and remain selective for long trades. We continue to favour IT and pharma stocks for their resilience and recommend careful stock selection in other sectors," said Ajit Mishra, SVP Research, Religare Broking.
Close to two-thirds of Sensex stocks advanced, with HDFC Bank, which rose by 1.95 per cent, being the biggest contributor to index gains. Overall, market breadth was weak, with 3,024 stocks advancing and 923 declining.