Indian stock markets kicked off the Hindu New Year Samvat 2082 with modest gains during Tuesday’s special one-hour Muhurat trading session, marking the sacred Diwali tradition that symbolizes prosperity and new beginnings for investors. Both major market indicators closed in positive territory, though gains were limited as investors adopted a cautious approach amid global uncertainties.
Market Performance Overview: Indices Close With Mild Gains
The market displayed restrained optimism during the afternoon trading window, with both main indicators ending nearly flat but firmly in the green zone.
Sensex Performance
- Closing Level: 84,426.34 points
- Change: Up 62.97 points
- Percentage Gain: 0.07%
- Previous Close: 84,363.37 points
Nifty Performance
- Closing Level: 25,868.60 points
- Change: Up 25.45 points
- Percentage Gain: 0.10%
- Previous Close: 25,843.15 points
The special trading session ran from 1.45 PM to 2.45 PM, preceded by a 15-minute pre-opening session starting at 1.30 PM. This marked the first time in decades that the Muhurat session was held in the afternoon slot, breaking from the traditional evening timing.
For the sixth straight year, Indian markets closed higher during Muhurat trading, continuing the auspicious tradition that investors believe brings good fortune for the year ahead.
Top 5 Gainers: Financial and Infrastructure Stocks Lead
The gainers list was dominated by financial services and infrastructure companies, reflecting investor confidence in these sectors.
Top 5 Sensex Gainers:
- Bajaj Finserv
- Gain: 1.11%
- Closing Price: Rs 2,163.15
- Hit fresh 52-week high during the session
- Infosys
- Gain: 0.68%
- Led technology sector gains
- Strong buying interest from institutional investors
- Axis Bank
- Gain: 0.64%
- Banking sector showed selective strength
- Contributed heavily to index gains
- Tata Steel
- Gain: 0.44%
- Metal sector outperformer
- Benefited from positive global metal prices
- Power Grid Corporation
- Gain: 0.38%
- Infrastructure play attracted buying
- Strong fundamentals supported the stock
Other notable gainers included Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, and Adani Ports, all contributing positively to the benchmark indices.
Top 5 Losers: Banking and Auto Stocks Face Selling Pressure
Several heavyweight stocks witnessed profit booking, limiting the overall market gains.
Top 5 Sensex Losers:
- Kotak Mahindra Bank
- Loss: 1.05%
- Biggest loser among Sensex constituents
- Private banking space saw mixed performance
- HCL Technologies
- Loss: 0.43%
- Technology sector saw divergent moves
- Profit booking after recent gains
- ICICI Bank
- Loss: Various reports indicate decline
- Banking major faced selling pressure
- Large-cap weight impacted indices
- Maruti Suzuki
- Loss: 0.53%
- Auto sector underperformed
- Volume concerns weighed on sentiment
- Asian Paints
- Decline noted across reports
- Consumer goods sector saw muted interest
- Festive season demand expectations not met
Additionally, Reliance Industries dropped 0.38%, Tata Consultancy Services fell 0.43%, and consumer goods majors like ITC and Hindustan Unilever also witnessed mild profit booking.
Sectoral Performance: Metals, Media and Pharma Shine Bright
Market activity showed clear sectoral trends, with certain industries outperforming while others lagged.
Outperforming Sectors:
- Nifty Metal: Top gainer among sectoral indices, up around 0.5%
- Benefited from stable global metal prices
- Tata Steel and JSW Steel led the pack
- Nifty Media: Strong gains of approximately 0.5%
- Sector consolidation attracting investors
- Positive outlook for advertising revenue
- Nifty Pharma: Healthcare stocks in demand, up around 0.5%
- Cipla emerged as top Nifty gainer
- Export opportunities and domestic demand supported
- Nifty IT: Technology showed resilience with marginal gains
- Infosys and Tech Mahindra gained
- Deal pipeline optimism
- Nifty Auto: Automobile sector posted mild gains
- Festive season demand expectations
- Two-wheeler segment showed strength
Underperforming Sectors:
- Nifty Bank: Closed in negative territory
- Mixed performance among private banks
- Profit booking at higher levels
- Nifty PSU Bank: Public sector banks declined
- Asset quality concerns
- Margin pressure narrative
- Nifty Realty: Real estate stocks faced selling
- Regulatory concerns
- Demand slowdown fears
Other sectors including Energy, Financial Services, Oil & Gas, and Consumer Durables closed with marginal gains, showing balanced market participation.
Broader Market: Mid-Caps and Small-Caps Outshine
The broader market indices displayed stronger momentum compared to benchmark indices, indicating healthy market breadth.
Broader Market Performance:
- Nifty Midcap 100: Up 0.11%
- Select mid-cap stocks attracted buying
- Better value propositions than large caps
- Nifty Smallcap 100: Up 0.52%
- Strongest performer among indices
- Retail investor interest remains robust
- BSE Midcap: Rose 0.3%
- BSE Smallcap: Advanced 1.0%
- More than 3,000 stocks closed higher on BSE
- 174 stocks hit 52-week highs during the session
The strong performance of smaller companies suggests that investors are looking beyond blue-chips for opportunities, indicating confidence in India’s growth story at the grassroots level.
Key Market Drivers: What Moved the Markets Today
Several factors influenced trading sentiment during the Muhurat session:
Domestic Factors:
1. Festive Season Sentiment
- Diwali Muhurat trading considered highly auspicious
- Traditional belief in prosperity attracts investment
- Strong retail participation in this symbolic session
2. Year-to-Date Performance
- Sensex has gained 7.5% in 2025 so far
- Nifty has outperformed with approximately 9% gains year-to-date
- Samvat 2081 saw markets correct over 15% from peaks
3. Corporate Earnings Season
- Quarter 2 earnings showing mixed results
- Earnings growth expectations moderate
- Focus on domestic consumption themes
4. Retail Investment Flow
- Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) inflows remain strong
- Domestic investors providing market cushion
- Long-term wealth creation mindset prevalent
Technical Factors:
Support and Resistance Levels:
- Nifty holding firmly above 25,800 level
- Immediate support at 25,750 mark
- Key support band: 25,600-25,500
- Resistance zone: 26,000-26,300
- Breakout above resistance could lead to fresh lifetime highs
Analysts noted that despite lighter trading volumes typical of special sessions, the market maintained its footing above key technical support levels, indicating firm underlying momentum and continued investor confidence.
Global Cues: Mixed Signals From International Markets
Global market conditions provided a mixed backdrop for Indian trading:
Asian Markets:
- Positive Momentum: Asian markets traded higher on Monday
- China: Chinese stocks and Hong Kong shares gained about 1%
- Japan: Nikkei climbed nearly 1%, hitting record highs
- Regional Sentiment: Hope for easing US-China trade tensions
- Key Index: MSCI Asia-Pacific (ex-Japan) touched 4.5-year high
US Markets:
- Wall Street Rally: US indices closed higher on Monday
- Technology Strength: Apple shares surged 4.2% to record $262.9
- Market Cap Milestone: Apple reached $3.9 trillion valuation
- Sector Leadership: Finance and technology shares led gains
Trade Tension Developments:
Recent weeks have seen significant volatility due to US-China trade friction:
- President Trump has threatened 100% additional tariffs on Chinese goods
- China responded with rare earth export controls
- Weekend saw more conciliatory tone with Trump stating “it will be all fine”
- Markets remain sensitive to trade policy announcements
- India relatively insulated but not immune to global trade disruptions
Commodity Markets:
- Gold: Precious metal prices slipped in Muhurat trading
- Silver: Also witnessed declines
- Post-Festival Impact: Demand cooling after Dhanteras and Diwali shopping
- MCX Movement: Gold futures down 0.21%, Silver down 0.22%
Investment Flow Impact:
Currency Markets: Rupee Movement Against Dollar
The Indian Rupee has faced pressure against the US Dollar in recent months:
INR-USD Exchange Rate:
- Current Level (Oct 21): Approximately 87.72-88.04 per USD
- Recent Trend: Rupee has weakened from earlier levels
- 2025 Performance: INR down 3.56% against dollar in 2025
- 52-Week Range: 84.22 (strongest) to 88.87 (weakest)
Factors Affecting Rupee:
- FII Outflows: Heavy foreign selling puts pressure on currency
- Dollar Strength: US Dollar index showing firmness
- Oil Prices: Crude oil movements impact import bill
- Trade Deficit: India’s trade gap affecting currency
- RBI Intervention: Central bank managing volatility through interventions
The weaker rupee has both positive and negative implications – it benefits exporters especially in IT and pharma sectors, but increases the cost of imports and adds to inflation concerns.
Market Outlook: What Lies Ahead for Samvat 2082
As investors look ahead to the new Samvat year, several factors will shape market direction:
Positive Factors:
1. Domestic Demand Strength
- Festive season sales showing improvement
- Automobile and consumer goods sales picking up
- Rural demand recovery expected
- Infrastructure spending momentum
2. Earnings Growth Expectations
- FY26 earnings growth estimated at 8-10%
- FY27 could see acceleration to 15%
- Domestic consumption-driven sectors favored
- Corporate balance sheets remain healthy
3. Policy Support
- Fiscal and monetary reforms showing results
- Government focus on manufacturing and infrastructure
- Digital India initiatives gaining traction
- Ease of doing business improvements
4. Retail Participation
- Strong SIP flows providing steady support
- Growing awareness about equity investing
- Long-term wealth creation mindset
- New investors entering market regularly
Challenges to Watch:
1. Global Uncertainty
- US-China trade tensions remain fluid
- Geopolitical risks in Middle East and Eastern Europe
- Global growth concerns, especially in China
- Developed market monetary policies
2. Valuation Concerns
- Markets trading at premium valuations
- Mid and small-cap segments expensive
- Limited margin of safety at current levels
- Any disappointment could trigger correction
3. Domestic Issues
- Inflation management remains critical
- Monsoon impact on agriculture
- Job creation challenges
- Regional political developments
Expert Views for Tomorrow and Beyond:
Market Strategists Forecast:
- Expect continued volatility in short term
- Markets could see 4-5% correction before year-end
- Large-caps preferred over mid and small-caps for next 12 months
- Selective stock picking will be key
Sectoral Preferences:
- Financial services and banking (selective)
- Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
- Infrastructure and capital goods
- Domestic consumption plays
- Manufacturing linked to government initiatives
Technical Outlook:
- Nifty structure remains bullish above 25,800
- Next target zone: 26,000-26,300
- Support levels well established
- Any dip to 25,000-24,800 could offer buying opportunity
Trading Resumption:
- Markets closed Tuesday, October 22, for Balipratipada (Diwali holiday)
- Regular trading resumes Thursday, October 23, 2025
- Traders will watch for global cues during the break
- Corporate earnings announcements to drive individual stocks
Historical Context: Muhurat Trading Track Record
The Muhurat trading session has historically been positive for Indian markets:
Past Performance:
- 2024 (Samvat 2081): Nifty up 0.41%, Sensex up 0.42%
- 2023: Nifty up 0.52%
- 2022: Nifty up 0.88%
- 2021: Nifty up 0.49%
- 2020: Nifty up 0.47%
Over the last five years, both Sensex and Nifty have closed higher in every Muhurat trading session, maintaining the tradition of this auspicious trading hour bringing good fortune to investors.
Samvat 2081 Performance:
- Despite the positive Muhurat start, Samvat 2081 saw markets correct 15% from peaks
- Sensex gained around 6% for the full Samvat year
- Nifty also posted approximately 6% gains
- Markets reached all-time highs of 85,978 (Sensex) and 26,277 (Nifty) in September
- Subsequent correction to 71,425 and 21,743 respectively created volatility
Investment Strategy: Navigating Samvat 2082
As the new Samvat year begins, investors should consider:
For Long-Term Investors:
- Stay invested and maintain discipline
- Continue systematic investment plans (SIPs)
- Focus on quality companies with strong fundamentals
- Diversify across sectors and market caps
- Don’t time the market; time in the market matters
For Active Traders:
- Watch key support and resistance levels closely
- Maintain strict stop losses
- Trade with position sizing discipline
- Be prepared for volatility
- Follow risk management rules strictly
Sector Allocation:
- Overweight: Financials (selective), Healthcare, Infrastructure
- Neutral: IT, Consumption, Auto
- Underweight: PSU Banks, Real Estate
Risk Management:
- Keep some cash for opportunities
- Don’t chase expensive valuations
- Review portfolio regularly
- Stay informed about global developments
- Avoid concentration risk
Conclusion: Cautious Optimism Marks New Beginning
The Muhurat trading session for Samvat 2082 reflected the prevailing market sentiment – cautiously optimistic but mindful of challenges. While the modest gains may not seem spectacular, they represent continuity in the tradition and demonstrate market resilience despite global headwinds.
Both benchmark indices closed nearly flat with Sensex up just 63 points and Nifty gaining 25 points, but the important factor was maintaining support above key technical levels.
The broader market participation, with smallcaps advancing 1% and several stocks hitting 52-week highs, suggests that investors are finding opportunities beyond the headline indices. Metal, media and pharma sectors leading the gains indicates selective strength in specific industries.
As markets reopen on Thursday, investors will be watching corporate earnings, global trade developments, and domestic policy announcements. The festival of lights has traditionally brought prosperity to Indian markets, and investors are hoping Samvat 2082 will illuminate the path to better returns after the challenging Samvat 2081.
Whether the markets can maintain this positive momentum will depend on how well India navigates global uncertainties while capitalizing on its domestic growth potential. For now, the markets have sent a signal of hope and resilience – a fitting start to the new year ahead.
Key Takeaways:
- Sensex closed at 84,426.34, up 62.97 points (0.07%)
- Nifty ended at 25,868.60, up 25.45 points (0.10%)
- Sixth consecutive positive Muhurat trading session
- Metals, media, and pharma sectors outperformed
- Broader markets showed stronger gains than benchmarks
- Global trade tensions remain key concern
- Regular trading resumes October 23, 2025