Stock markets reversed their early gains during Friday’s mid-session, trading in negative territory due to selling pressure in metal, auto, and FMCG stocks. 
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Stock markets reversed early gains to trade in negative territory during Friday’s mid-session, as selling pressure in metal, auto, and FMCG stocks offset the initial optimism. The benchmark Sensex was trading at 80,217.48, down 24.76 points or 0.03 per cent from its previous close, while the Nifty slipped 81.50 points or 0.33 per cent to 24,252.70 at 12.32 pm.

Market breadth remained negative, with 2,105 stocks declining versus 1,653 advances on the BSE. Of the 3,932 stocks traded, 174 remained unchanged. The day’s trading witnessed 58 stocks hitting 52-week highs while 50 touched their 52-week lows.

JSW Steel emerged as the biggest laggard on the NSE, plummeting 6.56 per cent to ₹962.20. Other major losers included Eicher Motors, dropping 3.12 per cent to ₹5,393.50, Bajaj Auto shedding 2.58 per cent to ₹7,823.00, Nestle India declining 1.96 per cent to ₹2,341.30, and Shriram Finance falling 1.88 per cent to ₹600.20.

Among gainers, Adani Ports continued its upward trajectory, rising 4.14 per cent to ₹1,266.90 on substantial trading volume of over 90 lakh shares. Maruti Suzuki advanced 1.31 per cent to ₹12,418.00, while IndusInd Bank gained 1.18 per cent to ₹848.30. ICICI Bank and Reliance Industries also showed modest gains of 0.83 per cent and 0.81 per cent, trading at ₹1,438.80 and ₹1,416.40 respectively.

Circuit filters were triggered across numerous stocks, with 235 hitting lower circuits and 145 reaching upper circuits, indicating significant volatility in the broader market.

The markets opened on a strong note, continuing the bullish momentum from the morning session when the Sensex surged over 827 points and the Nifty rose by more than 225 points. Positive global cues, robust GST collections, and lower crude oil prices had initially boosted sentiment.

However, profit-booking and sector-specific concerns dampened the mood as the day progressed. Metal stocks faced pressure with JSW Steel’s sharp decline leading the sectional downturn, while auto stocks presented a mixed picture, with gains in Maruti contrasting with losses in Eicher Motors and Bajaj Auto.

Trading remains active with high volumes in key stocks like Adani Ports, Reliance, and ICICI Bank as investors await further market direction ahead of the closing bell.

Published on May 2, 2025