Stock Market Today: 43 Stocks Hit 52-Week Lows, 109 at 52-Week Highs as Nifty 50, Sensex Close Higher

Indian benchmark indices ended Wednesday’s volatile session on a positive note as both the Nifty 50 and Sensex posted modest gains, driven by robust buying in select large-cap and FMCG stocks. However, beneath the surface, market breadth remained mixed as 109 stocks hit fresh 52-week highs, while 43 counters slumped to 52-week lows, reflecting a stark contrast in sectoral performance and investor sentiment.

Headline Indices Hold Ground Amidst Mixed Signals

The BSE Sensex closed up by 126.31 points or 0.17% at 77,389.76, while the NSE Nifty 50 rose 42.05 points or 0.18% to end at 23,562.40. Despite global headwinds and profit-booking in select sectors, index heavyweights such as ITC, HUL, and Reliance Industries supported the market.

“The headline indices are consolidating after the sharp rally seen earlier this month. While broader participation is limited, selective buying in defensives and consumption stocks is keeping the momentum intact,” said Ruchit Jain, Lead Research Analyst at 5paisa.com.

Market Breadth: Winners vs Losers

While the benchmarks managed to sustain gains, the divergence in broader markets was evident. On the NSE, 109 stocks recorded fresh 52-week highs, indicating continued optimism in sectors like capital goods, auto ancillaries, and FMCG. On the flip side, 43 stocks fell to 52-week lows, signaling pressure in PSU banks, real estate, and some mid-cap IT counters.

Some of the notable gainers at new highs included:

• Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL)

• Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL)

• Marico

• Trent Ltd

• Nestle India

Meanwhile, stocks like Canara Bank, Sunteck Realty, and Intellect Design Arena were among those plumbing 52-week lows, reflecting selective pain in rate-sensitive and tech-linked segments.

Sectoral Snapshot: FMCG, Auto Outperform

On the sectoral front, Nifty FMCG, Nifty Auto, and Nifty Pharma were the top-performing indices for the day, each closing higher by around 0.6% to 1%. Gains were supported by:

• Stable input cost trends

• Resilient rural demand

• Positive outlook on monsoon revival

“FMCG stocks are staging a comeback after months of underperformance, supported by favorable rural tailwinds and easing inflationary pressures,” noted Meher Engineer, Economist at Edelweiss Wealth.

In contrast, Nifty Realty and Nifty PSU Bank indices ended in the red, down 0.8% and 0.5%, respectively. Real estate stocks saw selling pressure amid uncertainty on rate cut timelines, while PSU banks were weighed down by weak quarterly outlooks.

Global Cues and Domestic Factors

Global cues were mildly positive as Asian markets traded mixed following cautious commentary from U.S. Federal Reserve officials about the timing of interest rate cuts. Crude oil prices held steady around $84 per barrel, while the Indian rupee traded marginally weaker at ₹83.61/USD.

Domestically, expectations of a better-than-expected monsoon and moderating inflation trends continued to drive sentiment, even as FIIs turned cautious. As per NSDL data, foreign investors were net sellers of ₹1,040 crore in the cash market, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) remained net buyers of ₹1,250 crore, lending support to the indices.

Technical View: Nifty Faces Resistance at 23,600

From a technical standpoint, Nifty continues to trade within a narrow consolidation band between 23,400 and 23,600. A decisive breakout above 23,600 could pave the way for a move towards 23,800, while support is placed near 23,250.

“Momentum indicators like RSI and MACD remain in the neutral zone. A close above 23,600 will be crucial for the next leg of the rally,” commented Ajit Mishra, SVP – Technical Research, Religare Broking.

Investor Outlook: Time to Stay Stock-Selective

With market benchmarks near record highs but mixed signals emerging from the broader market, analysts suggest a stock-specific and sector-rotational strategy.

“Valuations in select large-caps are rich, and we expect profit-booking in the near term. However, mid-caps with strong earnings visibility and robust balance sheets remain attractive,” said Kavita Krishnan, Head of Equity Research at LKP Securities.

Retail investors are advised to watch out for:

• June quarter earnings (starting mid-July)

• Monsoon progress updates

• FII flows in light of global rate cues

While the Nifty 50 and Sensex closed higher, the split in market breadth reflects a phase of consolidation where sector-specific narratives dominate investor behavior. Defensive plays are back in focus, while high-beta names face profit booking. As the market awaits further triggers from earnings season and monsoon data, maintaining a disciplined, diversified portfolio remains key for investors.