Last Updated on October 17, 2025 6:29 pm by BIZNAMA NEWS
BIZ DESK
Indian Domestic equity markets powered to a robust close on Friday, registering a third consecutive day of gains and hitting fresh 52-week highs ahead of the major Diwali festival (which is set to begin on October 18, with the main day on October 20).
The rally was comprehensive, led by Financials, Auto, and FMCG stocks, overriding cautious signals from mixed global markets and a weakening US Dollar due to the ongoing US government shutdown. Institutional buying, particularly the return of Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and strong Domestic Institutional Investor (DII) flows, underpinned the buoyancy.
The Sensex advanced $484.53$ points ($\mathbf{0.58\%}$), settling at 83,952.19, while the Nifty closed up $124.55$ points ($\mathbf{0.49\%}$) at 25,709.85.
| Sector | Headline | Key Metrics/Details |
| FMCG | Consumer Staples Lead the Charge: FMCG index posts biggest sectoral gain on festive demand optimism. | $\mathbf{+1.37\%}$ rise; Major gainer: Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Asian Paints. |
| Financials & Banking | Banking Majors Drive Benchmarks: Financial Services and Banking stocks exhibit strong buying momentum; ICICI Bank among top Sensex movers. | Significant gains recorded in Banking and Financial Services indices. |
| Auto | Wheels of Fortune: Auto index accelerates on strong domestic demand and festive sales forecast. | Sector was the second-largest gainer; Major gainer: Mahindra & Mahindra. |
| Pharma, Realty, Consumer Durables | Broad-Based Rally Extends Beyond Top Indices: Select stocks across Pharma, Realty, and Durables see healthy gains. | Indices for Pharma, Realty, and Consumer Durables closed in the green. |
| IT & Media | Tech and Entertainment Drag: IT and Media sectors face selling pressure, ending the session as top losers. | Indices closed lower on the day. |
| Broader Market | Large-Caps Outperform Mid & Small-Caps: Rally remains concentrated in frontline stocks. | Nifty MidCap 100 fell $\mathbf{0.57\%}$; Nifty SmallCap 100 closed $\mathbf{0.05\%}$ lower. |
| Precious Metals | Gold Hits New High Amid Global Turmoil: Safe-haven buying intensifies due to US government shutdown and weak dollar. | Gold up $\mathbf{Rs 1,700}$ ($\mathbf{1.30\%}$) to Rs 1,31,500 per 10g. Support at Rs 1,28,000, Resistance at Rs 1,33,000. |