Sensex, Nifty 50 End Lower Amid Foreign Fund Outflows
On February 18, 2025, Indian stock markets closed slightly lower due to foreign fund outflows and weak global cues. The BSE Sensex dropped by 29.47 points (0.04%) to 75,967.39, while the Nifty 50 declined by 14.20 points (0.06%) to 22,945.30.
Market Performance
Several sectors, including consumer durables, FMCG, and mid- and small-cap financial services, faced losses. However, a few stocks performed well despite the overall market downturn.
Top Gainers
- Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. gained 0.22%, closing at ₹12,786.30.
- Axis Bank Ltd. saw a minor increase of 0.05%, ending at ₹993.85.
Top Losers
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) declined by 0.87% to ₹3,869.45.
- Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. fell by 1.48%, closing at ₹2,788.40.
Factors Influencing the Market
- Foreign Fund Outflows
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) pulled out funds from Indian equities, leading to a cautious approach among traders. This trend has been ongoing for a few weeks, affecting market sentiment. - Global Market Trends
Weak global cues, including uncertainties in the US and European markets, contributed to the decline. Investors are closely watching economic data and central bank policies worldwide. - Sectoral Performance
- FMCG and consumer durables stocks suffered losses as investors shifted focus to other sectors.
- Banking stocks showed mixed performance, with some gaining while others declined.
- IT stocks, including TCS, saw profit-booking, leading to a decline in prices.
- Loan Fraud Incident
Market sentiment was further impacted by reports of a ₹270.57-crore loan fraud involving a state-run lender and an Odisha-based company. This development led to cautious trading in banking stocks.
The Indian stock market ended slightly lower as foreign fund outflows and weak global cues weighed on investor sentiment. While some sectors showed resilience, concerns over external financial pressures and corporate fraud reports added to market volatility. Investors are expected to remain watchful of global economic trends and domestic market developments in the coming days.
