Stocks end mixed but off lows as global cues turn positive; Nifty holds 25,200

The stock market ended mixed on Monday, rebounding sharply from early losses as improving global cues and selective buying in financials, autos, and energy stocks helped markets recover from session lows.

The BSE Sensex closed 174 points lower at 82,327, while the Nifty 50 slipped 58 points to 25,227, holding above the key 25,200 mark. The Nifty Bank gained 15 points to end at 56,625, and the Nifty Midcap 100 Index rose 65 points to 58,762, outperforming the broader market. Market breadth turned positive, with the advance-decline ratio at 1:2, signalling buying interest in select pockets.

Sentiment improved later in the session after global equities strengthened and US futures pointed higher, easing worries over geopolitical tensions that had pressured early trade.

"The domestic markets started the week on a cautious note as the ongoing US government shutdown and escalating US-China trade tensions triggered risk-off sentiment across Asia. Profit booking in consumption and discretionary sectors after recent rallies indicated a tactical shift in investor positioning. Mixed Q2 earnings further weighed on sentiment, with IT stocks underperforming, while financials attracted selective buying following regulatory easing. Mid- and small-cap stocks maintained a positive undertone. Although a marginal recovery in the INR and softening inflation expectations helped cushion losses, overall sentiment remained guarded, keeping markets under a slight negative bias," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.

Adani Ports led Nifty gainers, extending recent gains on sustained institutional buying. Auto stocks also saw broad-based gains, tracking strong registration data, with Bajaj Auto among top performers. Insurance majors such as Max Financial Services closed in the green, rebounding from last week’s losses.

Exchange stocks staged a sharp rally, with BSE and MCX climbing about 4% each, while KFin Technologies surged 7% in the midcap segment after a positive brokerage note. Torrent Power gained 3% following the Power Ministry’s draft of the new Electricity Bill, which aims to improve sector reforms.

In the healthcare space, Fortis Healthcare rose another 3%, extending its October gains to nearly 13%, while HDFC Asset Management Company advanced 3% ahead of its board meeting to consider a bonus issue. Muthoot Finance continued its upward trend as gold prices remained firm in global markets.

On the downside, Avenue Supermarts fell 3% after reporting Q2 results that missed analyst estimates, while Vodafone Idea dropped 4% as the Supreme Court deferred its hearing on the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) case to Oct. 27.