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Key gauges trade marginally higher in morning deals
Aug-20-2025

Indian equity benchmarks were trading marginally higher in morning deals, led by gains in TECK, Telecom and IT stocks. Traders took support with Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada’s statement that India and the US are negotiating a multi-sector bilateral trade agreement and as a part of the negotiations, both sides are discussing liberalisation of trade in goods, including non-sensitive agricultural products. Some support also came as India and China have unveiled a series of measures for a stable, cooperative and forward-looking relationship that included jointly maintaining peace along the frontier, reopening border trade, promoting investment flows, and resuming direct flight connectivity at the earliest. However, there was some cautiousness with Fitch Ratings’ statement that India-based corporates have low direct exposure to US tariffs, but sectors that are currently unaffected, including pharmaceuticals, could be hit by further US tariff announcements. The US has imposed a 25 per cent 'reciprocal' tariff on India with effect from August 7, 2025, and an additional 25 per cent levy will be effective August 27, as a penalty for Russian oil imports. On the global front, Asian markets are trading mostly in red as investors turned their attention towards US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's forthcoming statements at the Jackson Hole Symposium and minutes from the Fed's recent meeting. 

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 81738.83, up by 94.44 points or 0.12% after trading in a range of 81494.50 and 81745.90. There were 12 stocks advancing against 18 stocks declining on the index.

The broader indices were trading in green; the BSE Mid cap index rose 0.15%, while Small cap index was up by 0.29%.

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were TECK up by 1.35%, Telecom up by 1.32%, IT up by 1.23%, FMCG up by 1.04% and Realty up by 0.46%, while Bankex down by 0.35%, Healthcare down by 0.29% and Auto down by 0.09% were the top losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were Infosys up by 2.59%, Hindustan Unilever up by 1.48%, Bharti Airtel up by 1.30%, NTPC up by 1.24% and Eternal up by 1.18%. On the flip side, Bharat Electronics down by 1.14%, Tata Motors down by 1.14%, Bajaj Finance down by 1.11%, Larsen & Toubro down by 0.75% and Trent down by 0.72% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, Fitch Ratings has said India-based corporates have low direct exposure to US tariffs, but sectors that are currently unaffected, including pharmaceuticals, could be hit by further US tariff announcements. The US has imposed a 25 per cent 'reciprocal' tariff on India with effect from August 7, 2025, and an additional 25 per cent levy will be effective August 27, as a penalty for Russian oil imports.

At 50 per cent, India is subject to maximum tariff among Asian economies on exports to the US. It said the risk of second-order effects from existing tariffs is also rising. A US-India trade deal, if secured, would reduce these risks. Russian crude accounts for about 30-40 per cent of crude imports for Indian oil marketing companies (OMCs), with its discounted price supporting their profitability. It currently assumes a minimal direct tariff impact on Indian IT service companies and domestically focused sectors such as upstream and downstream oil and gas, cement and building materials, engineering and construction, telecoms, and utilities.

It stated ‘However, if US tariffs are sustained at levels significantly higher than in other Asian markets, we see moderate downside risks to our projection that the economy will grow by 6.5 per cent in FY26. This would weigh on the operating performance of more Indian companies.’

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 25002.75, up by 22.10 points or 0.09% after trading in a range of 24929.70 and 25004.05. There were 21 stocks advancing against 29 stocks declining on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were Infosys up by 2.63%, Hindustan Unilever up by 1.84%, Eternal up by 1.42%, Bharti Airtel up by 1.27% and Nestle up by 1.14%. On the flip side, Shriram Finance down by 1.51%, Bharat Electronics down by 1.36%, Bajaj Finance down by 1.25%, Tata Motors down by 1.01% and Hindalco down by 0.96% were the top losers.

Asian markets are trading mostly in red; Nikkei 225 slipped 697.29 points or 1.6% to 42,849.00, Taiwan Weighted lost 633.62 points or 2.6% to 23,719.88, Shanghai Composite weakened 2.15 points or 0.06% to 3,725.14, KOSPI dropped 37.34 points or 1.18% to 3,114.22 and Hang Seng declined 186.9 points or 0.74% to 24,936.00.

On the global front, Straits Times rose 9.51 points or 0.23% to 4,225.70 and Jakarta Composite gained 38.89 points or 0.49% to 7,901.84.
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