Indian stock markets started 2025 with a strong rally, as the Sensex soared by 1,436 points and the Nifty closed near 24,200 on January 2. Broad-based buying across sectors fueled the momentum, marking a positive start to the new year.

The 30-share BSE Sensex gained 1,436.30 points, or 1.83%, to close at 79,943.71, its highest in two weeks. This was the index's best single-day performance in over a month. Intraday, the Sensex touched an impressive high of 80,032.87, up 1,525.46 points or 1.94%. Meanwhile, the Nifty 50 closed at 24,188.65, rising by 445.75 points or 1.88%, after hitting an intraday peak of 24,226.70.

Banking and Broader Markets Show Strength

Banking stocks delivered robust performances, with the Nifty Bank climbing 544.95 points, or 1.07%, to end at 51,605.55. Broader markets mirrored this strength: the Nifty Midcap 100 gained 657.30 points, or 1.14%, to settle at 58,108.20, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 rose by 120.55 points, or 0.64%, to close at 19,080.35.

Sectoral and Stock Highlights

Sectoral indices displayed widespread buying, with Auto, IT, FMCG, Financial Services, Consumption, and Realty sectors leading gains on the NSE. Market breadth on the BSE was positive, with 2,400 stocks closing higher, compared to 1,571 in the red, while 115 stocks remained unchanged. Nifty Auto led the gains with a rise of 3.79%, making it the top-performing sector. Nifty IT followed, climbing 2.26%. Other sectors, including Consumer Durables, Financial Services, Private Banks, Oil & Gas, FMCG, and Realty, recorded gains between 1% and 2%. The Media sector was the only one to end in the red, with a marginal dip of 0.11%.

Among the top Sensex performers were Bajaj Finserv, Bajaj Finance, Maruti Suzuki, Titan, M&M, Infosys, HCLTech, Zomato, UltraTech Cement, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and IndusInd Bank. Sun Pharma was the only laggard in the Sensex pack.

Institutional Activity

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued to sell, offloading equities worth Rs.1,782.71 crore on January 1. However, confidence from Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) offset this, with purchases amounting to Rs.1,690.37 crore.

Positive Outlook for Markets

The market's performance on the first trading day of 2025 underscores investor optimism, with widespread participation across sectors. Analysts expect the momentum to continue, supported by a strong domestic economy and improving global cues.

BSE Market Capitalization: The total market capitalization of BSE has touched Rs450.47 lakh crore. Out of 4,086 shares traded, 2,395 shares gained, 1,574 declined, and 117 remained unchanged.