Stock markets end eight-day losing run on buying in RIL, HDFC Bank

Stock markets snapped the eight-day losing run on Monday (February 17, 2025) with benchmark Sensex closing higher by 57 points on the back of value buying in blue-chip stocks HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries.

Helped by fag-end buying, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 57.65 points or 0.08% to settle at 75,996.86. During the day, the barometer tanked 644.45 points or 0.845 to 75,294.76.

The NSE Nifty rebounded 30.25 points or 0.13% to 22,959.50.

From the 30-share blue-chip pack, Bajaj Finserv, Power Grid, IndusInd Bank, Adani Ports, UltraTech Cement, HDFC Bank, Zomato and Tata Motors were among the major gainers.

Mahindra & Mahindra, Bharti Airtel, Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, ICICI Bank, and ITC were the biggest laggards.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 4,294.69 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.

The total outflow by FPIs has reached ₹99,299 crore — near ₹1 lakh crore — in 2025 so far, data with the depositories showed. FPIs pulled out ₹21,272 crore in the first two weeks of this month, driven by global tensions after the US imposed tariffs on imports. This came following a net outflow of ₹78,027 crore in January.

In Asian markets, Seoul, Tokyo and Shanghai settled in the positive territory while Hong Kong ended lower.

European markets were trading higher. U.S. markets ended mostly lower on Friday.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.21% higher at $74.90 a barrel.

The BSE benchmark dropped 199.76 points or 0.26% to settle at 75,939.21 on Friday. The Nifty declined 102.15 points or 0.44% to 22,929.25.

In the last eight trading days, the BSE benchmark tanked 2,644.6 points or 3.36%, and the Nifty slumped 810 points or 3.41%.