India’s stock market staged a broad-based rebound on Friday, December 19, 2025, with the Sensex and Nifty 50 climbing after four subdued sessions, as investors took cues from gains across Asia and an unexpectedly softer U.S. inflation print. By midday, buying was visible across most sectors, while a firmer rupee and softer crude oil prices added to sentiment—especially for rate-sensitive and import-heavy pockets of the market. [1]
India stock market today: Sensex, Nifty 50 extend gains in intraday trade
By around 12:03 pm IST, the Sensex was up about 383 points (0.45%) at 84,864.55, while the Nifty 50 rose around 115 points (0.44%) to 25,930.40, according to Moneycontrol’s live market feed. Market breadth also leaned positive, with more advancing stocks than declining ones on the NSE at that time. [2]
Earlier in the session, the benchmarks pushed higher, with Mint reporting the Sensex rising nearly 600 points to an intraday high of 85,067 and the Nifty 50 reclaiming 25,979, as midcaps and smallcaps also gained more than half a percent in intraday trade. [3]
Reuters likewise noted a broad-based uptick in the morning session, with the Nifty 50 and Sensex each up about 0.6% at one point, and all major sectors in the green; broader midcaps and smallcaps also rose. [4]
Why the Indian stock market is rising today
1) Softer U.S. inflation lifts global risk appetite
Global cues turned supportive after U.S. consumer price inflation surprised on the downside, which helped underpin a “risk-on” tone across Asian markets and filtered into Dalal Street. Reuters connected the move in Indian equities to the softer U.S. inflation print and the broader rally in Asian peers. [5]
2) The rupee steadies near the 90-per-dollar zone
A stronger rupee was another sentiment tailwind. Reuters reported the rupee strengthening to around 90.07 per U.S. dollar (and touching 89.97) during the session, with commentary that central bank intervention had helped arrest the currency’s decline; the report also flagged importer demand as a counterweight. [6]
Moneycontrol’s live feed also showed the rupee trading firmer intraday (around 90.19 versus 90.25 previously), aligning with the broader “currency stability helps equities” narrative seen in market commentary. [7]
3) Oil remains soft, easing pressure on India’s import bill
Crude prices were on track to end lower for a second straight week, with Brent around $59.73 a barrel and WTI near $56.02 at the time of Reuters’ update. For India—one of the world’s major oil importers—softer crude typically supports the macro backdrop by easing imported inflation pressures and the current account burden. [8]
4) Foreign flows show a near-term shift, even as the year’s trend stays heavy
On the flow front, Reuters reported foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) were net buyers of Indian equities by about ₹5.96 billion on Thursday, providing a constructive short-term signal. [9]
At the same time, Reuters also emphasized that foreign investors were still set for substantial net selling for the year (over $18 billion in outflows year-to-date in Indian equities), highlighting why rallies remain sensitive to global rates and risk appetite. [10]
Sector check: Pharma and IT in focus, with news flow driving leadership
Pharma stocks gain after “Biosecure Act” catalyst
Pharma names were among the day’s leaders, helped by fresh headlines tied to the U.S. “Biosecure Act” narrative and expectations that supply-chain shifts could benefit Indian contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) players.
Moneycontrol reported that pharma shares rose after the U.S. Senate passed the ‘Biosecure Act’ as part of the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). It said the Nifty Pharma index was up around 0.65% at 11:15 am, after gaining more earlier in the session, and listed Wockhardt (+5%), Laurus Labs (nearly +3%), and Divi’s Laboratories (around +2%) among notable gainers. [11]
Reuters similarly highlighted pharma strength, noting that the “Biosecure Act” backdrop could encourage supply-chain diversification away from China—an angle investors appear to be pricing into Indian pharma and CDMO beneficiaries. [12]
IT stocks track Accenture read-through and AI-led deal momentum
Indian IT sentiment also drew support from Accenture’s latest quarterly update. Reuters reported Accenture beat revenue estimates, citing strong demand for AI services; it also noted $21 billion in new bookings and referenced Accenture’s partnerships with Anthropic and OpenAI for training and upskilling. [13]
Business Standard’s analysis added that brokerages saw Accenture’s commentary as a “constructive, albeit cautious” read-through for Indian IT services, pointing to order bookings and the mix between consulting and managed services, alongside a gradual broadening of AI-linked opportunities. [14]
Top stock stories on Dec 19, 2025: listings, deals, and company-specific moves
ICICI Prudential AMC makes a blockbuster debut
One of the biggest market headlines was the listing of ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company. Reuters reported the shares surged 23% on debut, giving the firm a market valuation of about $14.4 billion, and noted it became India’s most valuable listed asset manager. The report also said the stock hit as high as ₹2,663.40 versus an issue price of ₹2,165, and cited LSEG data showing more than 350 companies had raised $21.6 billion via IPOs in India in 2025—surpassing the prior year. [15]
Moneycontrol’s live market feed also carried post-listing views from market participants, emphasizing long-term structural tailwinds from the “financialisation” theme while warning about potential near-term volatility. [16]
MUFG’s India financials bet: 20% stake in Shriram Finance
Another headline grabbing investor attention: Japan’s MUFG agreed to buy a 20% stake in Shriram Finance for $4.4 billion, which Reuters described as the largest cross-border investment in India’s financial sector to date. [17]
Moneycontrol also reported the deal value in rupee terms (around ₹39,600 crore) and noted the stake purchase structure through preferential allotment. [18]
Ola Electric jumps as promoter pledge is cleared
Ola Electric shares were in focus after promoter Bhavish Aggarwal completed a three-day stake sale worth ₹324 crore, enabling repayment of a promoter-level loan (about ₹260 crore) and the release of all previously pledged promoter shares (3.93%), according to The Economic Times. The report also said the promoter group continued to hold about 34.6% post-transaction. [19]
Groww parent rallies after Jefferies initiates coverage
The Economic Times reported that Billionbrains Garage Ventures (Groww’s parent) jumped as much as 13% after Jefferies initiated coverage with a “Buy” call, outlining a “Robinhood-style” product-led strategy and projecting strong earnings growth over the coming years. [20]
Vodafone Idea moves on ₹3,300 crore fundraise plan
Vodafone Idea shares rose after the company said it raised ₹3,300 crore through secured NCDs issued by its subsidiary Vodafone Idea Telecom Infrastructure Limited (VITIL), with proceeds intended to support capex and growth plans, according to The Economic Times. [21]
BLS International spikes after Delhi High Court ruling
BLS International surged after the Delhi High Court set aside a debarment order that had barred it from participating in future Ministry of External Affairs tenders, The Economic Times reported. The article also referenced the company’s earlier disclosure that the issue would not disrupt existing contracts and provided context on revenue contribution from Indian missions. [22]
Policy and macro headlines investors are tracking
India imposes anti-dumping duty on select steel imports from China
Away from equities, a trade-policy headline also entered the market conversation. Reuters reported India imposed anti-dumping duties on certain cold-rolled steel imports from China for five years, with duty rates specified in dollar terms per ton. [23]
Business Standard also reported on the move, framing it as protection for domestic manufacturers following a DGTR probe and noting the product category involved. [24]
Global central bank watch: Bank of Japan hikes to 0.75%
Overnight global rates were also a key narrative. Reuters reported the Bank of Japan raised interest rates to 0.75%, a three-decade high, while markets parsed the guidance for further tightening—an important macro input for global risk appetite, currencies, and cross-border flows. [25]
Market forecast and outlook: Key levels for Nifty 50, Sensex, and Bank Nifty
With benchmarks rebounding but still facing overhead resistance, most near-term forecasts emphasize “levels” and “range” more than outright directional conviction.
Nifty 50 forecast: 25,900–26,000 remains the key hurdle
Moneycontrol’s trade setup outlined a widely watched technical map: support around 25,750–25,800 (including the 50-day EMA area) and resistance in the 25,900–26,000 zone. It added that a decisive break below 25,750–25,700 could open a path toward 25,500–25,450. [26]
NDTV Profit’s setup echoed a similar structure: support around 25,700–25,650 and immediate resistance near 25,900–25,950, while flagging the market’s tendency to meet selling pressure when rallies approach the upper band. [27]
Mint’s pre-market technical note also highlighted 25,700 as a key Nifty support level and framed the trade as needing a decisive breakout for clearer direction. [28]
Sensex forecast: eyes on 84,800–85,000 and higher bands
Mint’s trade setup cited analyst commentary describing 84,800 as a near-term hurdle; a move above that could open the way to 85,000–85,300, while 84,300 and 84,100 were highlighted as important supports in the near term. [29]
Bank Nifty forecast: consolidation zone still in play
NDTV Profit said Bank Nifty has been consolidating and forming a base in the 58,500–60,100 range, adding that a move above 59,500 could open upside toward 60,100, while key support was placed in the 58,200–58,600 area. [30]
Positioning and volatility: options strikes to watch
Mint’s derivatives snapshot described aggressive call writing around the 25,900 strike with strong put open interest near 25,700, consistent with a defined range in the near term. It also noted India VIX was subdued (around 9.70 in that report), reflecting calmer volatility expectations. [31]
Moneycontrol’s trade setup similarly referenced options positioning, noting maximum call open interest around the 26,000 strike and emphasizing how that zone can act as a resistance marker. [32]
What could decide the rest of today’s session on Dalal Street
As the market trades closer to the 26,000 (Nifty) / 85,000 (Sensex) psychological bands, traders are watching a familiar set of catalysts:
- Currency stability: further rupee strength can reinforce risk appetite, while renewed weakness tends to revive inflation and flow concerns. [33]
- Crude direction: sustained softness in oil supports India’s macro optics, especially into year-end positioning. [34]
- Global rates and central banks: BOJ’s hike and the broader developed-market policy signals matter for cross-asset risk appetite and EM flows. [35]
- Stock-specific news flow: fresh triggers—deals, listings, and regulatory developments—are clearly driving pockets of alpha today (ICICI Pru AMC, MUFG–Shriram, Ola Electric, Vodafone Idea, and others). [36]
Bottom line: A rebound day, but resistance levels still matter
India’s stock market today (Dec 19, 2025) reflects a classic “global cues + currency support + sector catalysts” bounce: softer U.S. inflation helped lift Asia, the rupee steadied near 90 per dollar, and sector-specific news powered leadership in pharma and select financial/IPO-linked counters. [37]
From here, analysts are watching whether the Nifty can sustain above 25,900 and challenge the 26,000 band—and whether Bank Nifty can push beyond its consolidation ceiling—without losing the key 25,700 support area that multiple technical notes flagged as pivotal. [38]
References
1. www.reuters.com, 2. www.moneycontrol.com, 3. www.livemint.com, 4. www.reuters.com, 5. www.reuters.com, 6. www.reuters.com, 7. www.moneycontrol.com, 8. www.reuters.com, 9. www.reuters.com, 10. www.reuters.com, 11. www.moneycontrol.com, 12. www.reuters.com, 13. www.reuters.com, 14. www.business-standard.com, 15. www.reuters.com, 16. www.moneycontrol.com, 17. www.reuters.com, 18. www.moneycontrol.com, 19. m.economictimes.com, 20. m.economictimes.com, 21. m.economictimes.com, 22. m.economictimes.com, 23. www.reuters.com, 24. www.business-standard.com, 25. www.reuters.com, 26. www.moneycontrol.com, 27. www.ndtvprofit.com, 28. www.livemint.com, 29. www.livemint.com, 30. www.ndtvprofit.com, 31. www.livemint.com, 32. www.moneycontrol.com, 33. www.reuters.com, 34. www.reuters.com, 35. www.reuters.com, 36. www.reuters.com, 37. www.reuters.com, 38. www.moneycontrol.com
