The Nifty 50 ended 57.85 points higher (+0.23%) at 25,482.50, while the Sensex added just 50.15 points (+0.06%) to close at 82,276.07.
The late fade was largely due to weakness in heavyweight stocks like Reliance Industries and State Bank of India, which capped the upside.
However, broader markets clearly outperformed:
- Nifty MidCap rose 0.58%
- Nifty SmallCap surged 0.96%
Impact on the stock market
Sector-wise performance
The Nifty Metal index emerged as the top gainer, reflecting optimism around global demand and commodity pricing trends.
It was followed by:
- Nifty Pharma
- Nifty IT
Meanwhile, Nifty PSU Bank declined the most, showing that banking stocks are facing rotation pressure.
| Sector/Index | Performance |
| IT & BPM sector | 1.57% |
| Healthcare sector | 1.59% |
| Oil & Gas sector | -0.18% |
| Real estate sector | -0.19% |
| PSU Bank in India | -0.39% |
Top gainers today
| Company | Share Price (in ₹) | Change % |
| HCL Tech | 1,378.20 | 2.91 |
| Bajaj Auto | 10,097.00 | 2.73 |
| Tata Steel | 214.64 | 2.63 |
| Shriram Finance | 1,085.90 | 2.28 |
| Adani Enterprise | 2,231.70 | 2.23 |
Top losers today
| Company | Share Price (in ₹) | Change % |
| Reliance | 1,398.50 | –2.12 |
| SBI | 1,200.10 | -1.90 |
| Adani Ports | 1,528.70 | -1.72 |
| Eternal | 250.20 | -1.50 |
| Bharti Airtel | 1,913.40 | -1.42 |
Market aftermath: Impact on stocks
Tata Group Stocks: Broad-Based Gains Despite Leadership Questions
Shares of several Tata group companies rose up to 3%, including:
- Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles
- Tata Elxsi
- TCS
- Tata Steel
This came even as Tata Sons deferred the reappointment of N Chandrasekaran as chairman for a third term.
Interestingly, market experts believe today’s rally is more of a broader market rub-off effect rather than a direct reaction to governance developments.
However, some analysts warn that leadership uncertainty could create a short- to medium-term overhang. Concerns raised reportedly include:
- Capital allocation discipline
- Losses in newer businesses
- Pace of capital deployment
- Oversight on high-risk expansion
For now, investors appear to be focusing more on sector momentum than boardroom noise.
Lupin: USFDA Approval Boosts Pharma Sentiment
Pharma stocks were strong today, and Lupin rose 1.5% to ₹2,284 after receiving approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to market a generic version of Brivaracetam Oral Solution (10 mg/mL) in the United States.
The drug treats partial-onset seizures and has estimated annual US sales of $135 million.
The company has already initiated the US launch.
This approval strengthens Lupin’s US pipeline at a time when:
- Regulatory approvals matter more than volume growth
- Export revenues are key
- Pharma offers defensive stability
The broader Nifty Pharma index rose 1.6%, signalling steady investor appetite.
SpiceJet: Lower Circuit After Massive Block Deal
At the other end of the spectrum, SpiceJet shares hit the 10% lower circuit at ₹12.88 after nearly 15 crore shares (8.4% equity) changed hands in a block deal.
The stock has now fallen 25% in seven consecutive sessions.
This sharp correction comes despite the airline announcing plans to ramp up its fleet to 60 planes and more than double capacity to 220 crore Available Seat Kilometres by Winter 2026.
However, concerns remain:
- Operational cash flow stability
- Pending dues
- Bangladesh barring use of its airspace
- Longer routes increasing costs
When large block deals coincide with operational headwinds, markets usually react aggressively.
SpiceJet is currently trading on sentiment rather than expansion plans.
Crude Oil: Risk Premium Returns
Oil prices moved higher amid renewed geopolitical concerns.
At 9:57 am Wednesday:
- Brent crude traded at $71.08 (+0.71%)
- WTI crude stood at $66.08 (+0.69%)
- MCX crude was at ₹6,021
Markets are pricing in supply risk if US-Iran talks fail on Thursday.
While there are reports suggesting Iran may be willing to strike a deal, the United States continues to build military assets in the region. Without a diplomatic breakthrough, markets fear potential escalation.
Adding to the mix:
- US crude inventories rose sharply by 11.4 million barrels last week — far above expectations of 1.9 million barrels
- OPEC+ meets on March 1, with potential supply increases from April
This combination of:
- Inventory builds
- Diplomatic uncertainty
- OPEC+ decisions
means crude will likely remain volatile in the near term.
For India, oil at $71 is manageable — but sustained upside could impact inflation and fiscal positioning.
Conclusion
Today’s session tells a clear story.
Headline indices barely moved:
- Nifty at 25,482
- Sensex at 82,276
But beneath the surface, leadership is shifting.
- Midcaps and smallcaps are gaining momentum
- Metals and pharma are attracting flows
- Banking is under pressure
- Select corporates like Lupin are delivering fundamental triggers
- High-risk names like SpiceJet remain volatile
Global uncertainty — from US-Iran talks to supply chain restructuring — continues to shape investor behaviour.
And in selective markets, stock picking matters far more than index watching.
Volatility is rising. Rotation is visible. The next few sessions will reveal whether this is consolidation before a breakout — or calm before another shift.
For more stock market insights, check out the StockGro blog.
