Stocks climb for third consecutive session, Nifty surpasses 25,000 level

The stock market climbed for a third straight session on Monday, with the Nifty 50 reclaiming the 25,000-mark as gains in financials, information technology, and heavyweights such as Reliance Industries lifted investor sentiment.

The benchmark Sensex surged 583 points to 81,790, while the Nifty 50 added 183 points to close at 25,078. The Nifty Bank index rose 516 points to 56,105 and the midcap index gained 512 points to 58,015. Among sectoral indices, Nifty IT was the top performer, up 2%, as the market geared up for the start of the earnings season.

Hospital stocks jumped after revisions in the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), with Max Healthcare and Fortis Healthcare both rising around 7%. Financial sector heavyweights, including Kotak Mahindra Bank and Bajaj Finance, advanced on the back of strong Q2 results. Shriram Finance continued its recent upward trajectory, gaining 10% over the past week.

Consumer and retail stocks saw mixed outcomes. Trent reported a 17% revenue growth in Q2 but ended the session lower, while Avenue Supermarts fell 3% after a weak update. Nykaa surged 7% following robust quarterly results, and Delhivery advanced 6% on festive season demand. Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail jumped nearly 7% amid reports of a potential exit from Flipkart.

Auto stocks closed modestly higher, supported by festive season sales, while Vodafone Idea fell 4% after the Supreme Court deferred the AGR case to October 13 at the government’s request. Samman Capital extended losses to 10% since announcing the IHC deal.

Among midcaps, Paytm, Cholamandalam Investment, Info Edge, and Kaynes Technology were notable gainers. Market breadth was negative, with the NSE advance-decline ratio at 3:4, indicating more declines than advances.