The Indian stock market wrapped up the final trading session of 2025 on a solid note, as broad-based buying across sectors, led by oil & gas and metals, drove the key averages to snap their four-day losing streak.
The Nifty 50 finished Wednesday’s session, December 31, with a 0.74% gain at 26,129, while the S&P BSE Sensex rallied 0.64% to 85,220. Both indices ended 2025 higher, gaining 10% for the year, but sharply underperformed their Asian and global peers.
Meanwhile, the broader markets also closed on a positive note, with the Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices advancing 0.95% and 1.11%, respectively. However, both indices delivered divergent performances for 2025. The midcap index rose 5.74%, while the small-cap index fell 5.62%, marking its first yearly drop since 2022.
Sector-wise, the Nifty Oil & Gas index led the rally with a sharp 2.66% spike, followed by Nifty Metal, Nifty Consumer Durables, Nifty Media, and Nifty PSU Bank, all of which closed with gains of over 1%. On the flip side, Nifty IT was the sole loser, declining 0.30%.
Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said, “Markets ended the 2025 on a strong note, posting a broad-based recovery. Looking ahead, expectations are rising for a constructive rebound in 2026, supported by improving demand conditions.”
“Investor sentiment is likely to hinge on corporate earnings and a potential uptick in nominal GDP growth. Metal stocks led gains today after the government announced import tariffs on steel products. Meanwhile, the oil & gas sector outperformed on the back of anticipated stable demand and stronger refining margins,” he further added.
Oil and gas lead gains; metals shine
Among the top gainers, Graphite India topped the list, surging 9.2% to ₹641.7 apiece, followed by Craftsman Automation, which climbed 7.5% to ₹7,689.5 apiece.
Notably, all 15 constituents of the Nifty Oil & Gas index closed higher, with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) leading the rally, rising 6.5% to ₹499.
HPCL was followed by Gujarat Gas, Gujarat State Petronet, Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), Oil India, and Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), all of which ended the session with gains ranging between 3% and 5.3%.
In the metals pack, JSW Steel extended its winning streak to a second consecutive session, surging 4.8% to ₹1,164 apiece, while Steel Authority of India (SAIL) closed higher for the fourth straight session, rallying 4.23% to ₹147, its highest level since early August.
The rally in steel stocks came after the government-imposed import tariffs of 11–12% for three years on select steel products, aiming to curb cheap imports from China.
Meanwhile, HFCL shares saw renewed buying, advancing 6.8% to ₹67.79 apiece, marking their biggest single-day gain since May this year. The rebound followed HFCL’s exclusion from the Futures & Options (F&O) segment with immediate effect, meaning the stock will now trade only in the cash market.
HFCL was one of four stocks, along with NCC, Titagarh Rail, and Cyient, excluded from the F&O segment.
Other Nifty 500 stocks, including PCBL Chemical, Wockhardt, eClerx Services, IFCI, Godfrey Phillips, Force Motors, and Ircon International, along with 30 other stocks, closed higher in the range of 3% to 6%.
Vodafone Idea leads losers; profit booking hits select stocks
Vodafone Idea emerged as the top laggard, plunging nearly 11% to ₹10.8 apiece after media reports said the Union Cabinet has approved an adjusted gross revenue (AGR) relief package for the company.
Reliance Infrastructure also came under pressure, as the recent rally appeared to trigger profit booking in the counter, dragging the stock down 5% to ₹164.54 apiece. Navin Fluorine International also saw its shares tumble 3.5% to ₹5,920 apiece.
After sharp gains in recent sessions, the rally in Hindustan Copper shares cooled off, falling 3% to ₹518 apiece. However, the stock still gained 58.5% in December, marking its biggest monthly rise since November 2023.
Other constituents from the Nifty 500 pack, including Radico Khaitan, City Union Bank, Hindustan Zinc, Asahi India Glass, and Swiggy, also closed with losses of over 2%.
Disclaimer: We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
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