Weekly market update, Apr 18, 2025

The benchmark equity indices recorded their best week in four years as they closed higher amid firm global cues and sustained foreign fund inflows. Banking stocks were the standout performers, rallying on easing CPI data and a normal monsoon forecast, which boosted hopes of a deeper rate cut cycle by the Reserve Bank of India. US President Donald Trump announced tariff exemptions for smartphones and computers and signalled a possible pause on auto tariffs, which boosted sentiments. The NSE Nifty 50 closed 4.48% higher, while the BSE Sensex ended higher by 4.52%. In the broader market, the BSE MidCap and SmallCap rose 4.24% and 4.69% respectively. On sectoral front, On the BSE, all the 21 sectoral indices ended with gains, with Bankex and Financial Services being the top sectoral performers.

Analysts expect that investors will monitor key market triggers in the fourth week of the new fiscal (FY26). The next set of March quarter earnings for fiscal 2024-25 (Q3FY25), global tariff announcements, the scheduled derivatives expiry, and global cues will dictate the market direction in the fourth week of April 2025.

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