The Indian stock market witnessed an extraordinary rally on Thursday, September 26, as both the Sensex and Nifty 50 surged to new all-time highs. With gains driven by heavyweight automakers and select index giants, the Sensex climbed nearly 0.8% to close at a record 85,836.12, while the Nifty 50 peaked at 26,250.90 before settling at 26,216.05, up 0.81%.
Among the biggest winners were auto giants like Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, and Tata Motors, with the Nifty Auto index jumping 2.26% and leading the day’s charge. At the same time, the BSE Midcap index held steady, and the BSE Smallcap index dipped slightly, reflecting the focus on large-cap stocks, which dominated trading activity. The total market capitalization of BSE-listed firms rose to ₹477 lakh crore, making investors ₹2 lakh crore richer in just one trading session.
A significant boost came from global cues, particularly China’s recent economic stimulus announcement. This move has revitalized investor sentiment, driving Asian markets higher and further lifting the Indian indices. “China’s stimulus has significantly enhanced investor confidence, creating strong positive momentum in global and Asian markets,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services. He added that expectations of a recovery in corporate earnings for H2FY25, backed by anticipated government spending, also contributed to the rally.
In addition to the auto sector, stocks in sectors like FMCG, banking, and metals performed well, with ITC, Reliance Industries, and Hindustan Unilever contributing significantly to Nifty’s gains. Notably, 257 stocks, including NTPC, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finserv, and Sun Pharma, hit their 52-week highs in intraday trading.
On the global front, European and Asian markets were buoyed by China’s economic measures, along with news of potential rate cuts in the U.S. These factors, coupled with falling bond yields in developed economies, added to the surge of optimism. “The Indian market is scaling new heights, anticipating a strong corporate earnings recovery in the second half of FY25,” added Nair.
Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP of Research at Mehta Equities, pointed out that the monthly derivatives expiry day also played a role in the stock market’s sharp climb. “Winding up of positions and positive cues from global markets triggered a sharp upsurge,” he explained, as both the Sensex and Nifty approach even higher milestones.
As investor optimism continues to rise, the Indian stock market stands strong, driven by large-cap stocks and favorable global conditions, offering hope for further growth in the coming months.