Ahead of the market: 10 things that will determine stock market action on Thursday

The Indian market started 2025 on a positive note, ending the year’s first trading day in the green on Wednesday, with the Sensex up over 360 points and the Nifty up 0.4%, led by gains in financial services stocks. This buoyant start follows the market wrapping up 2024 with an 8% annualized return, marking its ninth consecutive year of growth.

The benchmark BSE Sensex closed up 368.40 points, or 0.47%, at 78,507.41, while the broader Nifty 50 index gained 98.10 points, or 0.41%, at 23,742.90.

Here’s how analysts read the pulse of the market:

Commenting on the day’s action, Vinod Nair, head of research at Geojit Financial Services, said the market started on a positive note on the first day of 2025 and the recovery was broad, while the sustainability of the trend will depend on earnings. Growth in Q3, where expectations are positive on a QoQ basis.

“Increase in data from core sectors and capital expenditure is likely to increase in the rest of the government’s fiscally supported sectors like capital goods, industrials, auto and power,” Nair added.

US and European markets

US, European and other global markets were closed on New Year’s Day on Wednesday.

Tech View

The Nifty remained volatile but maintained a positive bias throughout the day, said Rupak De, senior technical analyst at LKP Securities, adding that short-term sentiment appeared strong, with the index rising for the second consecutive session.

“However, the major hurdle remains the index’s position below the 200-day moving average (200DMA). The ongoing rally may face resistance around 23,900-24,000. A decisive move above 24,000 could trigger an extension towards 24,500. On the downside, support is seen at 23,550,” Day added.

Most active stocks in terms of turnover

Tanla Platforms (Rs 1,952.95 crore), ITI Limited (Rs 1,081.71 crore), Go Digit General Insurance (Rs 1,053.41 crore), ITC (Rs 883.99 crore), Canes Technology (Rs 814.83 crore), SJVN and Amber Enterprises (Rs. 3 Crore) (Rs. 778.20 crore) was one of the most active stocks on the NSE in terms of value. High activity in a counter in terms of value can help identify counters with the highest trading turnover in a day.

Most active stocks in terms of volume

Vodafone Idea (traded shares: 31.87 crores), SJVN (traded shares: 7.07 crores), Suzlon Energy (traded shares: 6.22 crores), Yes Bank (traded shares: 5.19 crores), Easy Trip Planners (Rs. 3.35 crores), IRB Developers (traded shares: Rs. : 3.15 Crore) and IREDA (Traded Shares: 3.10 crore) were among the most actively traded stocks in terms of volume on the NSE.

Stocks show interest in buying

Shares of Tanla Platforms, Maharashtra Seamless, Clean Science & Technology, Century Ply, Techno Electric, ABB Power and Adani Wilmar witnessed strong buying interest from market participants.

52 week high

Over 153 stocks touched their 52-week highs today while 37 stocks slipped to their 52-week lows. Among those hitting their 52-week highs were Otham Investments, Blue Star, Lemon Tree Hotels, Muthoot Finance, Praj Industries, Lloyds Metals & Energy and Lorus Labs.

Selling pressure is seen in stocks

Crompton Greaves, Can Finn Homes, Godfrey Phillips, Crisil, Jindal Saw, Aris Lifesciences and Piramal Pharma saw significant selling pressure.

The sentiment meter favors the bulls

Market sentiment was bullish. Out of 4,071 stocks traded on BSE on Wednesday, 1,267 stocks declined, 2,718 stocks gained, while 86 stocks remained unchanged.

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(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, opinions and views given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)