On Tuesday, February 18, Indian equity markets experienced a volatile session, closing with minor losses due to weak corporate earnings and continuous foreign fund withdrawals.
The S&P BSE SENSEX dipped by 29.47 points (0.04%) to 75,987.39, while the NSE NIFTY50 declined by 14.20 points (0.06%) to 22,945.30. Notably, 787 stocks reached their 52-week lows, reflecting widespread market pressure.
HDFC Bank: Declined by 2.35%, closing at ₹1,686.40.
Maruti Suzuki: Declined by 1.91%, closing at ₹12,437.45.
Tech Mahindra: Declined by 1.69%, closing at ₹1,657.55.
HCL Tech: Declined by 1.33%, closing at ₹1,688.20.
ITC: Declined by 1.06%, closing at ₹402.20.
Shriram Finance: Gained by 4.13%, closing at ₹580.85.
NTPC: Gained by 3.29%, closing at ₹325.15.
M&M: Gained by 2.98%, closing at ₹2,839.45.
Bharat Electronics: Gained by 2.70%, closing at ₹260.25.
Adani Ports: Gained by 2.66%, closing at ₹1,111.70.
Pharma stocks are falling fast, with some dropping up to 10%! This happened after the U.S. talked about adding a 25% tax on imported medicines.
Indian pharma companies send nearly 40% of their medicines to the U.S., so this could hurt their profits. Big companies like Dr. Reddy’s and Aurobindo Pharma lost 6% and 10% in share value. Higher costs and tough competition may cause more trouble for these companies. Investors are also worried about stock prices being too high, leading to more selling.
U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed he will announce new tariffs on cars, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and lumber next month or even sooner. Speaking at a conference in Miami, Trump reiterated his tough trade stance, emphasizing that he is pushing for tariffs to protect American industries. Since returning to the White House for a second term, he has introduced multiple trade measures, aiming to restructure global commerce in favor of the U.S. Trump also warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi about imposing reciprocal tariffs on India, stating that the U.S. would match India's import duties.
Tata Motors stock price saw a small rise today, trading at ₹681.30, up 0.07% from the previous close of ₹680.85. The stock hit a high of ₹690.90 and a low of ₹675.50. Trading volume is 2.33% higher than yesterday, with 475,916 shares traded on BSE. Investors are monitoring resistance at ₹689.05 and support at ₹681.70. The stock remains below its 52-week high of ₹1,179.05 but is above its lowest point of ₹667. Higher trading volume suggests strong market interest, indicating potential price movements.
Gold prices jumped after the US dollar weakened, pushing MCX gold to ₹86,487 per 10 gm early Thursday. Investors are closely watching the US Federal Reserve's FOMC meeting minutes, set for release today, which could impact expectations for a rate cut in 2025. Experts believe gold will stay strong above ₹85,500, with safe-haven demand rising due to global economic uncertainty and Trump's tariff policies. Analysts predict gold will trade between ₹84,500 and ₹87,500 in the coming days as markets react to key economic developments.
Indian drug and auto exporters believe that US President Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on imports will have a limited impact on their businesses. Industry leaders say competitors from other Asian countries would also be affected, keeping India’s position strong. Generic drug exports, which make up 40% of US prescriptions, are unlikely to suffer major setbacks. Auto component manufacturers, like Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd., also predict minimal impact, as India exports $6.69 billion worth of auto parts to the US. Experts suggest policy changes to reduce risks, including trade deals and tariff adjustments.
Indian stock markets opened lower today, with the Sensex falling 200 points to 75,688 and Nifty slipping to 22,900. The Nifty Bank index dropped 0.58%, making it the worst-performing sector, while PSU banks gained 1.06%. Top gainers include Hindalco, Shriram Finance, and NTPC, while major losers are Maruti Suzuki, HDFC Bank, and ITC. Midcap stocks like Linde India and APL Apollo saw strong gains. Investors are also watching Patanjali Foods as the Supreme Court canceled a ₹186 crore tax demand. Market sentiment remains cautious as investors track sectoral trends.
Planning for retirement in India often involves deciding between the National Pension Scheme (NPS) and the Employee Provident Fund (EPF). While NPS is available to all, EPF is typically for full-time employees. Some employers allow contributions to both, making it vital to understand the benefits. Contributions to NPS can be adjusted, and employer contributions are tax-deductible, while EPF has a mandatory employee contribution but offers tax exemptions. Switching jobs is easier with NPS, allowing continuous contributions without employer approval. NPS returns are higher, and it offers flexibility in asset allocation. Withdrawals differ: NPS allows tax-free withdrawals post-retirement, whereas EPF requires five years of service for tax-free access.
Apple is taking a bold step forward with the launch of the iPhone 16e, which replaces Qualcomm's chips with Apple's own C1 cellular modem. This model features a larger 6.1-inch screen and an impressive A18 chip, making it nearly 40% faster than its predecessors. Apple aims to enhance user experience with features like a 48-megapixel Fusion camera, extended battery life, and advanced AI capabilities. The iPhone 16e also introduces a fresh naming scheme, positioning it as a successor to the iPhone 13 mini. With a starting price of ₹59,900, Apple is betting on its purpose-built technology to deliver unique experiences, potentially leaving Qualcomm behind just as Intel did when Apple switched to its M1 chip.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS): Declined by 2.28%, closing at ₹3,781.35.
Infosys Ltd: Declined by 2.20%, closing at ₹1,810.80.
Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL): Declined by 1.98%, closing at ₹2,250.25.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd: Declined by 1.38%, closing at ₹1,678.00.
Bharti Airtel Ltd: Declined by 1.35%, closing at ₹1,645.90.
Zomato Ltd: Gained by 4.86%, closing at ₹234.10.
Larsen & Toubro Ltd: Gained by 1.77%, closing at ₹3,277.75.
Axis Bank Ltd: Gained by 1.77%, closing at ₹1,011.40.
ICICI Bank Ltd: Gained by 1.50%, closing at ₹1,261.45.
IndusInd Bank Ltd: Gained by 1.15%, closing at ₹1,035.95.
Punjab National Bank (PNB) has flagged a Rs 270.57 crore loan fraud involving Odisha-based Gupta Power Infrastructure Ltd. The company took loans from PNB’s Station Square branch in Bhubaneswar, which later turned into bad debt.
The bank reported the fraud to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), marking it as a non-performing asset. PNB has already made provisions of Rs 194.57 crore for this loss. With rising fraud cases in the banking sector, this highlights growing concerns over corporate defaults.
The Indian government is considering increasing the bank deposit insurance limit beyond ₹5 lakh. Currently, the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) covers deposits up to ₹5 lakh per account holder if a bank fails. This protection was last raised in 2020 from ₹1 lakh. If approved, the new limit will offer better security to depositors in case of bank collapses. The move aims to boost public confidence in banks and safeguard savings. More details on the revised limit and timeline are yet to be announced.
Samsung Electronics has maintained its position as the world’s No.1 TV brand for 19 consecutive years. In 2023, the company held a 30.1% market share in revenue, driven by its premium models like Neo QLED and Micro LED. Samsung sold over 8.31 million QLED and Neo QLED TVs last year, bringing total sales in this category to 40 million since 2017. The brand also leads in ultra-large TVs, dominating the 75-inch and 98-inch segments. Samsung continues to innovate with AI-powered picture quality and advanced viewing technologies.
Toyota has introduced an electric version of its popular Innova at the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2025. This new model retains the design elements of the diesel-powered Kijang, blending familiar aesthetics with modern electric vehicle technology. The electric Innova is expected to offer a sustainable alternative for fans of the brand, combining Toyota's reliability with eco-friendly innovation. While specific details about the electric powertrain and features are yet to be disclosed, this launch signifies Toyota's commitment to expanding its electric vehicle lineup in response to growing environmental concerns.
The Indian stock market has experienced a significant downturn, with the Sensex falling by approximately 10,000 points, or 11.79%, over the past four months since reaching an all-time high of 85,978.84 on September 27, 2024.
This decline has notably impacted large-cap stocks, as foreign investors have engaged in heavy selling. The NSE Nifty Index has also suffered, decreasing by 12.38% during the same period.
