The Indian stock market had a mixed session on February 19, 2025, with
the BSE Sensex closing slightly lower at 75,939.18 points, down by 0.04%. The Nifty 50 also saw a minor decline, ending at 22,932.90. Despite the overall market dip, 12 companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) reached their upper circuit limits, reflecting strong investor interest in select stocks.
Among the top performers was Transformers & Rectifiers (India) Ltd, which hit a 5% upper circuit at ₹385.80. The surge followed the company’s announcement of securing orders worth ₹166.45 crore for manufacturing single-phase coupling transformers and single-phase transformers for TBCB projects. Hilton Metal Forging Ltd also saw a significant jump of 19.38%, with its stock price reaching ₹85.76 from an opening of ₹76.95.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders was another major gainer, with its shares climbing 11% as part of a relief rally. This came after the stock had previously corrected by more than 20% earlier in February. Meanwhile, the banking sector showed resilience, with Axis Bank Ltd. outperforming its competitors by rallying 1.77% to ₹1,011.40. In contrast, State Bank of India (SBI) recorded a modest increase of 0.14%, closing at ₹726.80.
Investor sentiment remained strong despite former President Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on imported automobiles, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. Market participants largely dismissed these concerns, focusing instead on robust corporate earnings and expectations of Federal Reserve policy changes. Analysts anticipate that S&P 500 companies will report an average 15.3% growth in fourth-quarter profits, exceeding previous estimates of 9.6%.
With the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes set for release, investors are looking for clues about future interest rate adjustments. Given the mixed inflation data, the central bank may adopt a cautious approach to balancing economic growth and inflation control.
The market’s ability to sustain its upward momentum, despite global economic uncertainties, indicates confidence in economic fundamentals. While potential policy shifts could introduce short-term volatility, the strong performance of individual companies suggests that investors remain optimistic about future growth.
As trading continues, market watchers will focus on Federal Reserve signals and corporate earnings reports. With stocks showing resilience and select companies hitting record highs, the outlook for the market remains positive, reinforcing investor confidence in key sectors of the economy.
