Stock Market Today: 59 Stocks Hit 52-Week Lows, 130 at 52-Week Highs as Nifty, Sensex End Higher

In a session marked by sectoral divergence and stock-specific action, Indian equity benchmarks ended higher on Thursday, July 4, 2025. While the broader market showed signs of exuberance with 130 stocks scaling fresh 52-week highs, 59 stocks also tumbled to their 52-week lows, highlighting the underlying churn in the market.

The Nifty 50 closed up 42 points at 24,365, while the BSE Sensex gained 144 points to finish at 80,274, extending their bullish momentum after a brief pause in the previous session. Gains were led by FMCG, IT, and pharma stocks, while select PSU and small-cap counters witnessed profit booking.

Mixed Sentiment in Broader Market

Despite the green close in benchmarks, the market breadth remained slightly positive with a cautious undertone. According to data from NSE, 130 stocks touched fresh 52-week highs, including heavyweights like HDFC Bank, ITC, L&T, and Bharti Airtel, while 59 counters slumped to their 52-week lows, including Vodafone Idea, Suzlon Energy, and UCO Bank.

“This divergence shows the bifurcation between quality large-cap stocks and speculative small-cap counters. The market is consolidating, and money is clearly chasing fundamentally strong plays,” said Anand Rathi, Head of Research at Rathi Investments.

Sectoral Highlights: FMCG, Pharma Lead; PSU Stocks See Pressure

FMCG stocks were in focus amid rising rural demand and a favourable monsoon forecast. The Nifty FMCG index surged nearly 1.5%, led by gains in HUL, Dabur, and Nestle India.

IT stocks also rebounded on expectations of margin stability in Q1FY26. Infosys, HCL Tech, and Tech Mahindra ended in the green ahead of their quarterly results due next week.

In contrast, PSU bank and realty indices came under pressure. The Nifty PSU Bank index dipped nearly 0.8% as traders booked profits in counters like Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank after a strong rally in June.

Global Cues Supportive, But Eyes on US Data

Global markets lent support to Indian equities. Asian peers ended mixed as investors awaited key US jobs data, expected to give cues on future Federal Reserve rate decisions.

“With global inflation moderating, risk appetite has improved. However, market participants are still wary of sharp moves in the US bond market and crude oil volatility,” said Pooja Mahajan, Chief Economist at Taurus Capital.

Brent crude prices hovered around $85.10 per barrel, while the US 10-year yield remained steady at 4.28%. The Indian rupee closed marginally higher at ₹83.41/USD, supported by strong FPI inflows.

FIIs Remain Net Buyers; Domestic Investors Stay Resilient

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers in Indian equities for the fifth consecutive session, with provisional data showing an inflow of ₹1,362 crore on Thursday.

Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) also showed consistent buying, especially in blue-chip names. The steady participation from both segments is helping maintain market resilience despite intermittent profit booking.

Technical View: Nifty Eyes 24,500; Support at 24,200

Technical analysts remain optimistic but advise caution near key resistance levels.

“Nifty has immediate resistance at 24,450–24,500 levels. If it breaks above that, we may see a swift move towards 24,700. On the downside, support is seen at 24,180,” said Rajat Bose, Independent Technical Analyst.

Bank Nifty ended flat at 52,670, with mixed movement in private and PSU banks. Analysts expect consolidation in this space ahead of the earnings season.

Investor Outlook: Stock Picking Key Amid High Valuations

Despite the bullish tone in the benchmarks, investors are increasingly turning selective. The stark contrast between 52-week highs and lows reflects heightened stock-specific risk.

“Retail and institutional investors should focus on fundamentals. The ongoing rally offers opportunities in large-cap and sectoral leaders, but one must avoid overvalued or momentum-driven small caps,” said Kritika Mehra, Portfolio Manager at Quantum Wealth.

Many market experts believe the earnings season will be the next big trigger. With Q1FY26 results around the corner, stock-specific action is likely to dominate, especially in sectors like IT, banking, and auto.

Key Gainers and Losers

Top Nifty Gainers:

• ITC (+3.2%)

• HCL Tech (+2.9%)

• HDFC Bank (+2.1%)

• Nestle India (+1.8%)

Top Nifty Losers:

• NTPC (-1.5%)

• Adani Ports (-1.3%)

• IndusInd Bank (-1.1%)

Conclusion

Thursday’s session exemplified a market at the cusp of a larger trend, with strength in quality stocks and caution in speculative counters. As global cues remain steady and domestic macro indicators stay favorable, short-term market action will likely hinge on corporate earnings and foreign fund flows.

For investors, a balanced approach combining sectoral rotation, fundamental strength, and disciplined stock selection could prove prudent in navigating the upcoming weeks.