Nifty 50 closed at 23,591.95 (105.1, 0.5%), BSE Sensex closed at 77,606.43 (317.9, 0.4%) while the broader Nifty 500 closed at 21,407.95 (132.5, 0.6%). Market breadth is in the red. Of the 2,472 stocks traded today, 1,051 were gainers and 1,406 were losers.
Indian indices closed higher after paring loses in the morning session. The Indian volatility index, Nifty VIX, fell 1.3% and closed at 13.3 points. NBCC closed 2.6% higher as it signed a Rs 25,000 crore MoU with MAHAPREIT to undertake projects across Maharashtra.
Nifty Smallcap 100 and Nifty Midcap 100 closed in the green. S&P BSE IPO and Nifty PSU Bank were among the best-performing indices of the day. According to Trendlyne’s sector dashboard, Utilities emerged as the highest-performing sector of the day, with a rise of 2.4%.
European indices are trading in the red. Major Asian indices closed in the green, except Australia’s ASX 200 and Japan’s Nikkei 225, which closed 0.4% and 0.7% lower, respectively. US index futures are trading mixed, indicating a cautious start to the session after President Donald Trump imposes a 25% import tariff on vehicles.
Torrent Pharmaceuticals sees a short buildup in its March 27 futures series, with open interest increasing by 66.7% and a put-call ratio of 0.4.
Zen Technologies receives an order worth Rs 152 crore from the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, to supply its Integrated Air Defence Combat Simulator (IADCS) for the L70 Gun.
Blue Star's Managing Director reportedly indicates a 4-5% increase in room air-conditioner prices in April, citing volatility in metal prices and forex rates.
Restaurant Brands Asia closes its Rs 500 crore QIP offer of around 8.3 crore equity shares on March 26 at an issue price of Rs 60 each, a 3.7% discount to the floor price.
JP Chalasani, CEO of Suzlon Group, announces a 204.8 MW repeat order from Jindal Green Wind 1. As of March, the company’s total order book stands at 5.9GW. He expects the contribution margin of wind turbine generators (WTG) to exceed 20% in the coming quarters, which is higher than the earlier projection of high teens. Chalasani remains confident in achieving the 8 GW annual installations target by FY27.
Geojit BNP Paribas upgrades Sobha to a 'Buy' call from 'Accumulate' but lowers the target price to Rs 1,447 per share. This indicates a potential upside of 19.3%. The brokerage believes that despite the decline in pre-sales during 9MFY25, Sobha has a robust launch pipeline and strong inventory in the ongoing projects, ensuring robust pre-sales visibility. It expects the company's revenue to grow at a CAGR of 19.6% over FY25-27.
United Spirits rises as its board appoints Praveen Someshwar as the new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), succeeding Hina Nagarajan, for five years, effective April 1.
Bharat Forge bags an order worth Rs 4,140 crore from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for 184 advanced towed artillery gun systems (ATAGS) jointly developed with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
CLSA maintains its 'Outperform' rating on Samvardhana Motherson International, with a target price of Rs 167. The brokerage projects the company's revenue to grow at an 11% CAGR over FY25-27 and anticipates the stock could potentially double in the next three years. CLSA attributed this growth to the rising share of emerging markets (EMs), SUVs, and EVs.
J B Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals plunges as 90 lakh shares (5.8% stake), reportedly worth approximately $200 million (Rs 1,715 crore), change hands in a block deal. Private equity firm KKR is likely the seller in the transaction.
UPL's subsidiary, Advanta Enterprises (AEL), secures a $100 million (~Rs 858 crore) investment from Alpha Wave for a 3.5% stake in the company. Additionally, UPL sells its 8.9% stake in AEL to Alpha Wave for $250 million (Rs 2,145 crore).
Sandhar Technologies is rising as it enters a business transfer agreement with Sundaram-Clayton to acquire its high pressure and low pressure aluminium die casting businesses for Rs 163 crore.
Spicejet rises after successfully resolving its dispute with Willis Lease Finance Corporation, a global aircraft engine lessor. Ajay Singh, Chairman and MD, said the settlement reflects the company’s progress in its financial restructuring. He noted that the QIP and promoter funding have helped SpiceJet address long-standing issues and improve its financial position.
Ashok Leyland is falling as its promoter, Hinduja Automotive, pledges 30 crore shares worth Rs 6,000 crore to Catalyst Trusteeship. The company's subsidiary, Switch Mobility UK's board of directors, approves starting consultation to potentially cease manufacturing and assembly operations at its Sherburn facility. This comes amid a slower-than-expected transition to EVs in public transport.
Max Financial Services rises as 51.2 lakh shares (1.5% stake), worth Rs 569 crore, reportedly change hands in a block deal at an average price of Rs 1,112 per share. Max Ventures' promoters are the likely sellers in the transaction.
Welspun Enterprises’ subsidiary, Welspun Michigan Engineers, secures a Rs 79.2 crore order from the Vadodara Municipal Corporation to rehabilitate the existing drainage line in Vadodara's West Zone, Gujarat.
Reports suggest that 82.3 lakh shares of IDFC First Bank, amounting to Rs 62.6 crore, have changed hands in a block deal.
NBCC rises sharply as it signs a Rs 25,000 crore memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology (MAHAPREIT) to jointly undertake consultancy, EPC, fee-based, and redevelopment projects across Maharashtra.
Aditya Birla Capital's board of directors schedules a meeting on March 31 to consider raising funds through the issue of debt securities.
One Mobikwik Solutions receives approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to incorporate a subsidiary, Mobikwik Securities Broking, to enter the securities broking business.
Macquarie initiates coverage on Trent with an ‘Outperform’ rating and a target price of Rs 7,000. The brokerage notes that the company has outpaced its Asian peers in growth, returns, and inventory turnover. It expects this momentum to continue, driven by Trent’s efficient back-end operations and franchise-led expansion strategy, boosting profitability.
Tata Motors tumbles as US President Donald Trump announces a 25% tariff on imported cars, effective April 2. The tariff may hit Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) sales, as cars sold in the US are primarily manufactured in the UK and other international locations. In 2024, North America accounted for one-third of JLR’s global sales, with the US alone contributing 22%.
JSW Infrastructure is rising as it acquires the slurry pipeline business from JSW Utkal Steel for Rs 1,617 crore to transport iron ore from Nuagaon mines to Jagatsinghpur in Odisha. The company also enters a 20-year take or pay agreement with JSW Steel to transport iron ore slurry from Nuagaon mines to Jagatsinghpur through the slurry pipeline.
BSE rises sharply as its board of directors schedules a meeting for March 30 to consider a proposal for a bonus issue of shares.
Wipro is rising as it secures a 10-year deal worth £500 million (over Rs 5,500 crore) with Phoenix Group to manage life and pension administration for the ReAssure business.
Nifty 50 was trading at 23,506.85 (20, 0.1%), BSE Sensex was trading at 77,122.86 (-165.6, -0.2%) while the broader Nifty 500 was trading at 21,280 (4.6, 0.0%).
Market breadth is in the red. Of the 2,018 stocks traded today, 794 showed gains, and 1,182 showed losses.
Riding High:
Largecap and midcap gainers today include Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. (872.85, 8.7%), Thermax Ltd. (3,776.75, 8.6%) and Adani Green Energy Ltd. (959.90, 5.2%).
Downers:
Largecap and midcap losers today include Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Healthcare Ltd. (12,789.95, -8.5%), Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd. (467.35, -6.0%) and Tata Motors Ltd. (668.55, -5.6%).
Volume Shockers
49 stocks in BSE 500 are trading on high volumes today.
Top high volume gainers on BSE included Garware Technical Fibres Ltd. (944.65, 15.0%), Aegis Logistics Ltd. (902.60, 14.7%) and Maharashtra Scooters Ltd. (11,724.40, 14.0%).
Top high volume losers on BSE were Capri Global Capital Ltd. (164.90, -15.4%), Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Healthcare Ltd. (12,789.95, -8.5%) and Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd. (467.35, -6.0%).
J B Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (1,615.70, -5.5%) was trading at 99.7 times of weekly average. Galaxy Surfactants Ltd. (2,052.35, -2.6%) and Britannia Industries Ltd. (4,841.20, -0.2%) were trading with volumes 26.1 and 20.8 times weekly average respectively on BSE at the time of posting this article.
BSE 500: highs, lows and moving averages
3 stocks took off, crossing 52 week highs, while 8 stocks were underachievers and hit their 52 week lows.
Stocks touching their year highs included - Chambal Fertilisers & Chemicals Ltd. (619.35, 0.2%), Shree Cements Ltd. (30,146.45, 0.7%) and Aavas Financiers Ltd. (2,087.20, 3.7%).
Stocks making new 52 weeks lows included - Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd. (315.60, 0.4%) and Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Healthcare Ltd. (12,789.95, -8.5%).
23 stocks climbed above their 200 day SMA including Aegis Logistics Ltd. (902.60, 14.7%) and Akzo Nobel India Ltd. (3,717.45, 11.8%). 12 stocks slipped below their 200 SMA including Procter & Gamble Health Ltd. (5,002.60, -5.8%) and LMW Ltd. (15,659.45, -2.2%).