Stock Market Update: Nifty Closes Below 25,100, Sensex Drops 386 Points

The Indian equity market ended sharply lower on Wednesday, weighed down by weakness across sectors and heavy selling in banks, autos, and midcap names. The Nifty failed to hold the 25,100 mark and closed at 25,057, down 113 points. The Sensex shed 386 points to end at 81,716. Market breadth remained weak with the NSE advance-decline ratio slipping to 1:2 as midcap stocks saw a steep fall, dragging the index lower by 572 points to 57,924.

Auto stocks came under pressure with profit booking dragging most names into the red. Tata Motors was the top Nifty loser, falling 3% as Jaguar Land Rover extended its production pause. Real estate stocks also slumped on demand concerns, with Godrej Properties among the worst hit.

Adani group shares faced profit booking, ending lower by up to 11%. Capital market-linked stocks were weak after SEBI floated a consultation paper on expiry norms, leading to a 3% fall in BSE. Among financials, PB Fintech slid 4% following reports that IRDAI had asked insurers to reduce commissions.

Banking stocks were another key drag with IndusInd, Axis Bank, and ICICI Bank among the top losers. In contrast, FMCG names staged a recovery, helping cushion the fall. Hindustan Unilever and Tata Consumer Products were the top gainers. Select PSU banks also managed to close higher. On the positive side, Muthoot Finance hit a record high tracking the rally in gold, while Minda Corp surged 9% after outlining plans to increase revenue 3.5 times by 2030. Kaynes Technology ended 3% higher after appointing a new managing director.

Despite the overall market downturn, some stocks managed to buck the trend, providing a glimmer of hope for investors. The market's performance underscores the ongoing volatility and the need for investors to remain cautious and well-informed.