TLDR
Market Recap: October 24, 2025
On October 24, 2025, Profit-booking paused the rally after six straight gains. Sensex closed 84,211.88 (−344.52, −0.41%) and Nifty 50 25,795.15 (−96.25, −0.37%). Nifty Midcap 100 −0.24% and Nifty Smallcap 100 −0.21%. India VIX at 11.59 (−1.19%). Metals held up; FMCG and PSU Banks lagged. FII +₹621.5 cr, DII +₹173.1 cr (provisional). Trade-deal chatter cooled risk appetite at highs.
Key Drivers :
Rally fatigue at peaks: After 3% up over six sessions, investors locked in gains; breadth softened with defensives dragging.
Flows turn mildly positive: FIIs and DIIs both net bought, cushioning the dip and keeping indices near highs.
Policy tape-watch: The remarks that an India–US trade pact is “very near” kept global cues in play, but did not avert local profit-taking.
Today’s Top Stories:
Blackstone-Federal Bank: PE giant to take 9.99%; capital and governance boost; stock firmer.
SBI Life Q2: Profit softer on costs; premiums strong; mix tilts to non-par.
Defence AoNs: ₹79,000 cr approvals ignite PSU defense stocks.
Dr. Reddy’s Q2: +7% YoY but below Street; stock holds up.
Cipla-Lilly: Tirzepatide deal lands; shares slip on near-term execution worries.
TOP STORIES
1. Blackstone to buy 9.99% of Federal Bank ($705 mn)
Gemini-2.5
Deal terms: Blackstone affiliate to invest about ₹6,196 cr via preferential shares and warrants for a 9.99% stake; board seat rights on warrant exercise.
Strategic angle: Capital boost and marquee sponsor strengthen growth runway in retail and SME, with governance signaling via board representation.
Market reaction: Federal Bank up 1-2% intraday on the announcement.
Will Blackstone’s ₹6,196 cr investment and potential board seat shift your stance on Federal Bank?
2. SBI Life Q2: profit -6.6% YoY; premiums +22.6%
Gemini-2.5
Financial performance: Q2 PAT ₹495 cr (-6.6% YoY) as expenses and commissions rose; net premium income ₹24,848 cr (+22.6% YoY).
Business mix: Shift toward non-par products to protect margins amid softer markets; VNB and margin improved sequentially.
Market reaction: The stock edged lower during trade as investors weighed growth against margin pressures.
PAT −6.6% YoY, net premiums +22.6% YoY. How do you position?
3. Defence orders cleared: ₹79,000 cr AoNs spark sector rally
Gemini-2.5
Policy action: DAC approved ₹79,000 cr capital proposals spanning missiles, amphibious ships, ELINT, and mobility systems.
Industry impact: Order visibility lifts PSU primes (BEL, BDL, GRSE, Cochin Shipyard); defence index outperformed on the day.
Market reaction: Defence names gained up to 4% intraday on fresh procurement tailwinds.
Fresh DAC approvals across missiles, ships, ELINT. Sector call?
4. Dr. Reddy’s Q2: profit +7% YoY but a miss vs estimates
Gemini-2.5
Earnings print: PAT ₹1,347 cr (+7.3% YoY); slight miss to consensus on US pricing pressure, partly offset by Europe and India strength.
Operational take: Pipeline and launches continue; geographic diversification balances US headwinds.
Market reaction: Shares were broadly resilient, modestly outperforming a weak tape.
Miss vs Street on US pricing pressure. Your move?
5. Cipla to market Lilly’s weight-loss drug in India; stock dips
Gemini-2.5
Commercial tie-up: Cipla to market tirzepatide under a new Indian brand, while Lilly manufactures; obesity and diabetes opportunities targeted.
Strategic read: Opens a high-growth therapy for Cipla’s chronic portfolio; pricing, supply, and payer access are near-term watch-outs.
Market reaction: Cipla −3% intraday as traders priced execution and margin questions.
Obesity/diabetes entry, stock dipped on execution worries. View?
GYAANI HOT TAKES
Disclaimer:
The IndiaStox Research Hackathon is intended for educational and community engagement purposes only. Submissions do not constitute investment advice, nor should they be construed as recommendations to buy or sell any securities.
By participating in the IndiaStox Research Hackathon and submitting content, you grant IndiaStox a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, and irrevocable license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, distribute, and display your submission, whether in whole or in part, across its digital platforms and in promotional materials. This license extends to both commercial and non-commercial purposes, including content seeding, editorial use, and advertising.
By submitting your work, you confirm that it is your original creation and that you have the right to grant the above license.
