Stock Market Today: 84 Stocks Hit 52-Week Lows, 83 Stocks at 52-Week Highs as Nifty 50, Sensex End Over 1% Higher

Mumbai, June 20, 2025 — Indian equity benchmarks soared over 1% on Thursday, reversing recent losses as investors cheered positive global cues and selective buying in banking, auto, and IT counters. Interestingly, the sharp market rally came alongside an unusual divergence—84 stocks hit 52-week lows while 83 stocks touched 52-week highs on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), signaling heightened volatility and sectoral rotation.

Benchmark Indices Rally

The BSE Sensex surged 790.40 points, or 1.07%, to close at 74,822.45, while the NSE Nifty 50 advanced 245.85 points, or 1.10%, to settle at 22,748.55. Gains were broad-based, with nearly all sectoral indices ending in the green. The rally followed positive global momentum after the U.S. Federal Reserve signaled it remained on track for rate cuts later in the year, buoying investor sentiment across emerging markets.

Market Breadth Remains Mixed

Despite the upbeat benchmarks, the broader market displayed signs of divergence. On the BSE:

• 83 stocks touched fresh 52-week highs

• 84 stocks registered new 52-week lows

This rare phenomenon underlines polarization in investor sentiment and a rotation of capital from underperforming sectors to defensives and high-growth stocks.

"Even as the headline indices appear strong, the churn underneath indicates that not all boats are rising with the tide. There’s clear repositioning visible in portfolios," said Madhavi Shah, Portfolio Manager at Zenith Capital Advisors.

Key Sectoral Movers

• Nifty Bank rose over 1.4%, led by HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank.

• Nifty Auto gained 1.6%, as Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors continued their upward trajectory.

• IT stocks saw renewed buying after recent consolidation, with Infosys and TCS adding more than 1%.

Metal and pharma stocks, however, saw muted participation, with several small-cap names from these sectors among those hitting 52-week lows.

Top Performers & Laggards

Among Nifty constituents, Bajaj Finance, Mahindra & Mahindra, and HCLTech were among the top gainers, posting gains between 2.5% and 4.2%. On the flip side, Coal India, Sun Pharma, and Dr Reddy’s Labs showed marginal declines.

In the broader markets, midcaps and smallcaps showed mixed action. The Nifty Midcap 100 rose 0.9%, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 ended just 0.2% higher, reflecting selective participation.

Analyst Take: A Volatile Path Ahead

Analysts warn that volatility could remain elevated in the near term amid global uncertainties, delayed monsoon concerns, and corporate earnings expectations.

“The current rally is sentiment-driven, riding on global optimism around interest rate cuts. However, domestic triggers like monsoon progress and upcoming Q1 results will be critical in sustaining the momentum,” noted Rajat Ghosh, Senior Research Analyst at EquitySpring.

He added that the unusual dual movement of stocks hitting both highs and lows is a "sign that the market is still searching for direction at the micro level, even if the macro setup looks positive."

FIIs Turn Buyers Again

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) made a net purchase of ₹2,189 crore in equities on Thursday, resuming inflows after days of mixed activity. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) also remained net buyers, pumping in ₹1,015 crore.

The return of foreign capital has been a key driver of market resilience in recent sessions, particularly in large-cap stocks.

Global Cues Support Sentiment

Overnight gains in U.S. markets and easing treasury yields provided the tailwinds for Indian markets today. The Nasdaq Composite closed 1.4% higher, boosted by strong tech earnings and dovish commentary from the U.S. Federal Reserve, which maintained its forecast of two rate cuts this year despite sticky inflation.

Oil prices remained stable around $82 per barrel, while the Indian rupee appreciated marginally against the dollar, further aiding market sentiment.

Investor Outlook: Proceed With Caution

Despite Thursday’s optimism, analysts urge caution. The dual trends of 52-week highs and lows suggest investors should remain selective and watch sectoral shifts closely.

"Investors should focus on quality names with strong fundamentals, especially in sectors that are still undervalued or offer earnings visibility," advised Bhavik Mehta, Head of Retail Research at Narayan Investments.

With the Nifty now trading close to a key resistance level of 22,800, market participants are likely to monitor profit-booking pressures. The next few sessions could be pivotal in determining if the current rally has legs or is merely a technical bounce.