Benchmark indices closed higher for the sixth consecutive session on Tuesday, with banking stocks leading the rally after the Reserve Bank of India announced favourable changes to liquidity norms. Despite weak global cues and overnight losses in US markets, the Sensex ended the day at 79,595.59, gaining 187.09 points or 0.24 per cent, while the Nifty 50 settled at 24,167.25, up by 41.70 points or 0.17 per cent.
Top gainers
ITC led the advances, surging 2.58 per cent to ₹433.70, reversing its previous losses. Hindustan Unilever showed strong performance, rising 2.09 per cent to ₹2,399.10.
M&M gained 1.89 per cent to close at ₹2,817.15, continuing its positive momentum from the previous session. HDFC Bank added 1.78 per cent to finish at ₹1,961.90. Eicher Motors completed the top five with a 1.41 per cent gain, ending at ₹237.45.
Top losers
IndusInd Bank was the biggest loser, dropping 4.88 per cent to ₹787.65 amid profit booking after yesterday’s gains. PowerGrid declined 2.30 per cent to ₹312.60.
Infosys fell 1.93 per cent to ₹1,422.40, while Bharti Airtel slipped 1.68 per cent to ₹1,852.00. Bajaj Finserv closed 1.25 per cent lower at ₹2,077.90.
Bank Nifty was the star performer, jumping sharply to hit a new all-time high of 55,961 before closing at 55,647.20, up by 342.70 points or 0.62 per cent. The rally in banking stocks followed RBI’s announcement to ease final Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) norms, effective from April 2026.
“The Reserve Bank of India has set a lower buffer rate of 2.5 per cent for digitally linked deposits, down from the earlier proposed 5 per cent, with a new compliance deadline of April 1, 2026. It also reduced the ‘run-off’ factor on wholesale deposits from non-financial entities to 40 per cent from 100 per cent, easing pressure on banks’ liquidity,” noted Satish Chandra Aluri of Lemonn Markets Desk.
Published on April 22, 2025