HOME > MARKETS > MARKET COMMENTARY
  MARKET COMMENTARY
EQUITY
Bourses continue to trade in green during early afternoon session
Dec-18-2025

Indian markets continued to trade in green during early afternoon session. Traders were hoping positive signs towards India-US trade deal. Traders took note of CareEdge Ratings' latest report estimating India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 7.5% in FY26 and 7.0% in FY27.  Besides, nominal GDP growth is projected at 8.3%, lower than the budgeted 10.1% for FY26. Sector wise, textile sector remained in limelight as textiles ministry has said that the exports of textiles and apparel including handicrafts from India rose 9.4% on YoY to $2.85 billion in November 2025 from $2.60 billion in November 2024. The ministry has pointed that the US is the largest export market for India's textile and apparel industry despite of steep 50% tariffs imposed on Indian goods. On the global front, Asian markets were trading mostly in red. Traders seemed reluctant to make significant moves ahead of the release of report on US consumer price inflation later in the day, which could impact the outlook for interest rates. 

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 84645.61, up by 85.96 points or 0.10% after trading in a range of 84238.43 and 84744.21. There were 14 stocks advancing against 16 stocks declining on the index.

The broader indices were trading mixed; the BSE Mid cap index gained 0.10%, while Small cap index was down by 0.23%.

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were IT up by 0.81%, Metal up by 0.72%, TECK up by 0.60%, Realty up by 0.59% and Consumer Durables was up by 0.45%, while Power down by 0.99%, Auto down by 0.78%, Capital Goods down by 0.77%, Utilities down by 0.67% and Oil & Gas was down by 0.66% were the losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were TCS up by 1.37%, Infosys up by 1.27%, ICICI Bank up by 0.79%, Tech Mahindra up by 0.77% and Axis Bank up by 0.76%. On the flip side, Sun Pharma down by 2.89%, Power Grid down by 1.61%, Mahindra & Mahindra down by 1.18%, NTPC down by 0.98% and Asian Paints down by 0.62% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal has expressed optimism over the growth of India’s domestic pharmaceutical market, with expectations for market to double to approximately $130 billion by 2030 from the current level of around $60 billion. He said this reflects the sector’s scale, depth, and innovation potential.

On the trade front, Agrawal highlighted that pharmaceutical exports from India grew 9.4 percent to $30.47 billion in 2024-25 over the previous year, on the back of a strong manufacturing base and expanding global outreach. Indian medicines reach over 200 markets worldwide, with more than 60 percent of exports going to stringent regulatory destinations. The United States accounts for about 34 percent, while Europe accounts for around 19 percent of India’s pharmaceutical exports.

Agrawal further underlined that India is today the world’s third-largest pharmaceutical producer by volume and fourteenth by value, with more than 3,000 companies, 10,500 manufacturing units and over 60,000 generic brands across 60 therapeutic areas. The Commerce Secretary also underlined the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to position India as a trusted global trade partner and to expand India’s share in global pharmaceutical trade, thereby enabling wider access to quality and affordable healthcare across the world.

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 25867.30, up by 48.75 points or 0.19% after trading in a range of 25726.30 and 25884.80. There were 28 stocks advancing against 22 stocks declining on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were Interglobe Aviation up by 2.50%, Max Healthcare Inst up by 1.84%, TCS up by 1.39%, Infosys up by 1.31% and Hindalco up by 1.30%. On the flip side, Sun Pharma down by 2.75%, Power Grid down by 1.72%, Mahindra & Mahindra down by 1.16%, Bajaj Auto down by 1.06% and NTPC down by 0.92% were the top losers.

Asian markets were trading mostly in red; Nikkei 225 slipped 409.28 points or 0.83% to 49,103.00, KOSPI dropped 61.90 points or 1.55% to 3,994.51, Taiwan Weighted lost 56.64 points or 0.21% to 27,468.53, Hang Seng declined 54.78 points or 0.22% to 25,414.00, Jakarta Composite plunged 20.49 points or 0.24% to 8,656.86 and Straits Times was down by 8.28 points or 0.18% to 4,567.20. On the flip side, Shanghai Composite was up by 6.09 points or 0.16% to 3,876.37.
  RELATED NEWS >>
Most Viewed >>
EXPLORE
© CITRUS INTERACTIVE
Designed & Developed Accord Fintech Pvt. Ltd.