/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176723253589984754.webp)
What is the story about?
2025 has been an eventful year for the Nifty. While the benchmark itself delivered only single digit gains, several index heavyweights grabbed attention through record making runs, sharp reversals or sustained consistency, ensuring stock specific action remained in focus through the year.
One of the most talked about names has been Trent. After years of stellar performance, including a doubling in both 2023 and 2024, the stock is headed for its first negative year since 2013. Trent is down about 41% in 2025.
Despite multiple downgrades, Street sentiment remains largely constructive. 17 analysts still have a 'Buy' rating on the stock, with price targets ranging from a high of ₹6,650 to a low of ₹4,300. Notably, Trent is now trading below its lowest target price.
Reliance Industries, meanwhile, has once again reaffirmed its status as a market heavyweight. After a brief pause in 2024, the stock returned to winning ways in 2025, gaining about 27%. This marks its best annual performance since 2020.
Analyst sentiment remains close to consensus bullish, with 35 analysts maintaining 'Buy' ratings. Price targets range from ₹1,350 on the lower end to ₹1,890 at the top.
For HDFC Bank, 2025 marked a break from a recent trend of modest returns. Despite delivering positive performance, three of the past four years had seen only single digit gains.
This year, the country's largest private sector lender rose about 11%, outperforming the Nifty and extending its streak of positive annual returns that began in 2015.
The Street remains strongly supportive, with 46 analysts recommending 'Buy'. The highest target stands at ₹1,460, while the lowest is near ₹1,050.
Eicher Motors also stood out as one of the strongest performers on the index. After only two negative years in 2018 and 2019, the stock surged 51% in 2025. This has turned out to be its best year since 2014, when the stock had tripled.
While Eicher remains among the top Nifty performers, analyst opinion is mixed. 22 analysts have 'Buy' ratings, with price targets ranging from around ₹4,700 to as high as ₹8,000, even as some remain cautious due to valuation concerns.
The Tata Group, in contrast, had a disappointing year, led by weakness in Tata Consultancy Services. TCS is on track for its worst annual performance since 2008, when the stock had plunged nearly 60%.
In 2025, TCS is down about 20%, reflecting broader pressure across IT stocks and playing a key role in capping Nifty's upside. Despite this, analysts believe the worst may be behind. 36 analysts continue to recommend 'Buy', with targets ranging from ₹2,835 to ₹4,810.
Consistency has been the hallmark for Bharat Electronics. Barring 2018, when the stock had halved, BEL has delivered a largely positive journey. Over the past five years, it has consistently generated healthy double digit returns, including a gain of about 33% in 2025.
BEL also emerged as the top gainer in the PSU index in 2025. Analyst confidence remains strong, with 27 'Buy' ratings and price targets exceeding ₹680.
Among NBFCs, Shriram Finance had a standout year. After three years of declines, the stock delivered a powerful comeback in 2025, rising nearly 70%. This marks its best performance since 2017 and the fifth positive year overall.
Street sentiment remains unanimously bullish, with 35 'Buy' recommendations and no 'Sell' calls. The highest target price stands at ₹1,225.
Grasim Industries may not always dominate Nifty conversations, but it has quietly delivered steady performance. Four of the last five years have seen double digit returns, and barring 2018, 2019 and 2022, the stock has consistently generated strong gains.
Analyst sentiment remains positive, with eight 'Buy' ratings. Price targets range from ₹2,960 on the lower end to as high as ₹3,700.
Adani Enterprises, however, is headed for its third consecutive year of negative returns. The stock has declined in double digits in 2025 and continues to see limited analyst coverage, making it one of the weaker performers within the index universe.
The final name on the list is Hindustan Unilever. The stock is currently on the edge, with year-to-date returns hovering around zero. This is huge because HUL has not delivered back-to-back years of negative returns in the past three decades.
After a 13% decline in 2024, it remains to be seen whether that long standing pattern holds by the close of trade on Wednesday. Analyst sentiment remains supportive, with nearly 32 'Buy' ratings and price targets going up to ₹3,150.
That, in many ways, sums up the Nifty in 2025. Returns at the index level may have been muted, but beneath the surface, several stocks made records, maintained consistency or delivered sharp reversals, ensuring the year remained anything but dull for investors.
One of the most talked about names has been Trent. After years of stellar performance, including a doubling in both 2023 and 2024, the stock is headed for its first negative year since 2013. Trent is down about 41% in 2025.
Despite multiple downgrades, Street sentiment remains largely constructive. 17 analysts still have a 'Buy' rating on the stock, with price targets ranging from a high of ₹6,650 to a low of ₹4,300. Notably, Trent is now trading below its lowest target price.
Reliance Industries, meanwhile, has once again reaffirmed its status as a market heavyweight. After a brief pause in 2024, the stock returned to winning ways in 2025, gaining about 27%. This marks its best annual performance since 2020.
Analyst sentiment remains close to consensus bullish, with 35 analysts maintaining 'Buy' ratings. Price targets range from ₹1,350 on the lower end to ₹1,890 at the top.
For HDFC Bank, 2025 marked a break from a recent trend of modest returns. Despite delivering positive performance, three of the past four years had seen only single digit gains.
This year, the country's largest private sector lender rose about 11%, outperforming the Nifty and extending its streak of positive annual returns that began in 2015.
The Street remains strongly supportive, with 46 analysts recommending 'Buy'. The highest target stands at ₹1,460, while the lowest is near ₹1,050.
Eicher Motors also stood out as one of the strongest performers on the index. After only two negative years in 2018 and 2019, the stock surged 51% in 2025. This has turned out to be its best year since 2014, when the stock had tripled.
While Eicher remains among the top Nifty performers, analyst opinion is mixed. 22 analysts have 'Buy' ratings, with price targets ranging from around ₹4,700 to as high as ₹8,000, even as some remain cautious due to valuation concerns.
The Tata Group, in contrast, had a disappointing year, led by weakness in Tata Consultancy Services. TCS is on track for its worst annual performance since 2008, when the stock had plunged nearly 60%.
In 2025, TCS is down about 20%, reflecting broader pressure across IT stocks and playing a key role in capping Nifty's upside. Despite this, analysts believe the worst may be behind. 36 analysts continue to recommend 'Buy', with targets ranging from ₹2,835 to ₹4,810.
Consistency has been the hallmark for Bharat Electronics. Barring 2018, when the stock had halved, BEL has delivered a largely positive journey. Over the past five years, it has consistently generated healthy double digit returns, including a gain of about 33% in 2025.
BEL also emerged as the top gainer in the PSU index in 2025. Analyst confidence remains strong, with 27 'Buy' ratings and price targets exceeding ₹680.
Among NBFCs, Shriram Finance had a standout year. After three years of declines, the stock delivered a powerful comeback in 2025, rising nearly 70%. This marks its best performance since 2017 and the fifth positive year overall.
Street sentiment remains unanimously bullish, with 35 'Buy' recommendations and no 'Sell' calls. The highest target price stands at ₹1,225.
Grasim Industries may not always dominate Nifty conversations, but it has quietly delivered steady performance. Four of the last five years have seen double digit returns, and barring 2018, 2019 and 2022, the stock has consistently generated strong gains.
Analyst sentiment remains positive, with eight 'Buy' ratings. Price targets range from ₹2,960 on the lower end to as high as ₹3,700.
Adani Enterprises, however, is headed for its third consecutive year of negative returns. The stock has declined in double digits in 2025 and continues to see limited analyst coverage, making it one of the weaker performers within the index universe.
The final name on the list is Hindustan Unilever. The stock is currently on the edge, with year-to-date returns hovering around zero. This is huge because HUL has not delivered back-to-back years of negative returns in the past three decades.
After a 13% decline in 2024, it remains to be seen whether that long standing pattern holds by the close of trade on Wednesday. Analyst sentiment remains supportive, with nearly 32 'Buy' ratings and price targets going up to ₹3,150.
That, in many ways, sums up the Nifty in 2025. Returns at the index level may have been muted, but beneath the surface, several stocks made records, maintained consistency or delivered sharp reversals, ensuring the year remained anything but dull for investors.
/images/ppid_a911dc6a-image-176723053163689477.webp)
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176723003350897084.webp)
/images/ppid_a911dc6a-image-176722843973092829.webp)
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176722757196324254.webp)
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176722753628826792.webp)
/images/ppid_a911dc6a-image-176722564079475542.webp)
