Market Wrap, February 25: Indices end mixed; SENSEX up 147 pts, NIFTY50 flat; Bharti Airtel shares gain 2%

Snapping a five-day losing streak, the equity benchmark indices on Tuesday, February 25, rebounded during the intraday trade but closed mixed as investors maintained a wait-and-watch stance amid weak global cues.

At close, the S&P BSE SENSEX stood at 74,602.12, rising 147.71 points, or 0.20%, while the NSE's NIFTY50 index dipped 5.80 points, or 0.03%, to end at 22,547.55.

The market breadth was in favour of declines, as 1,717 stocks declined on NSE against 1,117 stocks that gained. Similarly, 12 stocks made a new 52-week high, and 186 made a 52-week low.

Meanwhile, investors also remained cautious as the US President Donald Trump on Monday said his tariffs on Canada and Mexico are starting next month, ending a monthlong suspension on the planned import taxes that could potentially hurt economic growth and worsen inflation.

“We're on time with the tariffs, and it seems like that's moving along very rapidly. The tariffs are going forward on time, on schedule,” Trump said at a White House news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Globally, Asian shares sagged on Tuesday as worries over US-China trade friction weighed on the outlook for the region.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 lost 1.4% to 38,237.79 after markets in Japan reopened from a holiday on Monday. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng gave up 1.5% to 22,999.44, while the Shanghai Composite index dropped 0.8% to 3,346.04. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.7% to 8,251.90.

South Korea's Kospi lost 0.7% to 2,630.29 after the Bank of Korea cut its benchmark interest rate. This was its third cut in four meetings as it moves to support the slowing economy. Taiwan's Taiex fell 1.2%, and the Sensex in India gained 0.3%.

The tech-heavy NASDAQ index fell for a third consecutive session, with losses of 1.2% on Monday. Rising concerns over weak economic parameters and persistent inflation soured investor sentiments. The Dow Jones and S&P 500 closed almost flat. Meanwhile, Apple announced plans to invest $500 billion in the US over the next four years.

As many as 2,917 stocks traded on the NSE on Tuesday. Out of this, 1,717 declined, and only 1,117 stocks advanced, while 83 scrips remained unchanged.

A total of 12 stocks hit their 52-week highs, while 186 stocks touched their one-year lows. Besides, 101 stocks hit their upper circuit limits, and 86 touched their lower circuit bands on Tuesday.

The broader market also remained under pressure, with the NIFTY Midcap 100 index ending at 49,702.15, falling 310.95 points, or 0.62%, while the Nifty SmallCap 100 index settled at 15,408.60 levels, declining 68.70 points, or 0.44%.

Among sectors, Nifty Metal (-1.54%), Nifty Realty (-1.31%), Nifty PSU Bank (-1.22%), Nifty Midsmall Financial Services (-1.16%) and Nifty Oil and Gas (-1.13%) were the biggest losers.

However, Nifty Media (0.84%), Nifty Midsmall Healthcare (0.62%), Nifty Consumer Durables (0.54%), Nifty Auto (0.51%) and Nifty FMCG (0.32%) were the top gainers among sectors.

As many as 19 stocks on the NIFTY50 index traded positive, while the remaining 31 closed in red. The top five gainers on the index were Bharti Airtel, Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M), Bajaj Finance, Nestle India and Titan, rising as much as 2.32%.

On the flip side, the top five losers were Dr Reddy’s, Hindalco, Trent, Hero MotoCorp and Sun Pharma, declining as much as 3.1% on the 50-share index.