Stock market today: 75 stocks hit 52-week highs, 61 stocks at 52-week low as Nifty 50, Sensex end lower

Mumbai, June 18 – Indian equities closed on a weaker note Tuesday, as benchmark indices Nifty 50 and Sensex slid amid profit booking and global uncertainty. However, market breadth painted a contrasting picture, with 75 stocks hitting 52-week highs, even as 61 counters touched fresh 52-week lows, reflecting a highly polarized session.

The Sensex fell by 34.74 points to end at 76,456.59, while the Nifty 50 closed lower by 18.10 points at 23,264.85. The losses were driven largely by weakness in financials, IT, and select auto stocks, while buying interest continued in FMCG and midcaps.

Sectoral Snapshot: Polarized Gains and Losses

Among sectors, the Nifty FMCG index rose over 0.7%, supported by stocks like Hindustan Unilever and Dabur, while the Nifty IT and Bank Nifty fell by 0.6% and 0.5% respectively. Weak cues from global peers and cautious outlooks from IT companies dragged the tech pack.

“Despite overall index weakness, we saw strong action in broader markets. Stocks hitting 52-week highs reflect underlying bullish sentiment in select pockets like capital goods, consumer durables, and healthcare,” said Amit Goel, Co-Founder at Pace360.

52-Week Highs and Lows: A Market in Divergence

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) reported 75 stocks hitting 52-week highs, including:

• Larsen & Toubro (L&T)

• Honeywell Automation

• Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL)

• MRF

• Solar Industries

These companies benefited from robust order books, strong earnings visibility, and macroeconomic tailwinds.

Conversely, 61 stocks hit their 52-week lows, including:

• Paytm (One97 Communications)

• Vodafone Idea

• Zee Entertainment

• Nazara Technologies

• Bandhan Bank

The drop in these stocks was largely attributed to weak earnings, governance concerns, and sector-specific headwinds.

Market Drivers: Mixed Cues Dominate

Global uncertainty around U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and muted foreign institutional investor (FII) participation weighed on market sentiment. FIIs were net sellers in the equity segment today, offloading stocks worth ₹754 crore, as per provisional data.

“The market seems to be in a consolidation phase post-election euphoria. Investors are booking profits in largecaps while exploring opportunities in niche sectors,” noted Mehul Kothari, AVP Technical Research at Anand Rathi.

Technical Take: Cautious Optimism Prevails

From a technical standpoint, analysts suggest that Nifty is showing signs of fatigue after a strong pre- and post-election rally.

“The index needs to hold above 23,100 to avoid slipping into a short-term corrective phase. Upside is capped near 23,500 unless there’s fresh buying in heavyweight sectors,” said Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities.

Meanwhile, the India VIX, a gauge for market volatility, edged higher by 3.2%, reflecting growing investor caution.

Broader Markets: Midcaps and Smallcaps Outperform

Despite the fall in headline indices, the Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 indices advanced by 0.5% and 0.8% respectively. Key gainers included Thermax, Bharat Dynamics, and Aegis Logistics, which saw renewed interest from domestic institutional investors (DIIs).

“Midcap and smallcap segments are seeing rotation due to improving domestic demand outlook, government policy continuity, and strong retail participation,” said Neeraj Dewan, Director at Quantum Securities.

Investor Outlook: Selective Buying Recommended

With mixed cues dominating the market, analysts are advising investors to tread cautiously.

“We recommend staying invested in quality names with strong balance sheets and visible earnings growth. Avoid chasing momentum blindly in stocks hitting 52-week highs unless backed by fundamentals,” said Vinit Sambre, Head of Equities, DSP Mutual Fund.

Short-term volatility is expected to persist with key triggers ahead being:

• U.S. Fed commentary on rate trajectory

• Monsoon progress in India

• Q1 FY26 earnings expectations

• GST Council meeting outcomes

A Market in Transition

Tuesday’s market action reflects the ongoing transition from a broad-based rally to a more selective, sector-specific phase. While 52-week highs indicate underlying optimism in certain pockets, rising lows and index pressure highlight investor uncertainty.

Traders should prepare for sideways movements with sharp intra-day swings, while long-term investors may use dips as buying opportunities in fundamentally sound companies.