The Indian equity markets concluded the calendar year 2025 on a resounding high, with benchmark indices snapping a four-day losing streak to finish in the green. The rally on Wednesday, December 31, was spearheaded by robust buying in the oil & gas and metal sectors, setting a positive tone for the year's closure.
Benchmarks Seal a Double-Digit Annual Gain
The Nifty 50 index surged 0.78% to settle at 26,141 points, while the S&P BSE Sensex climbed 0.64% to reach 85,220. This final push helped both frontline indices register an impressive annual gain of 10% for the year 2025. However, this performance notably lagged behind the returns delivered by several Asian and global market peers during the same period.
Sectoral Surge and Key Gainers
Sectoral indices painted a vivid picture of the day's momentum. The Nifty Oil & Gas index was the star performer, skyrocketing by 2.66%. It was closely followed by the Nifty Metal index, with other sectors like Consumer Durables, Media, and PSU Bank also posting gains exceeding 1%. In contrast, the Nifty IT index was the solitary laggard, edging down by 0.30%.
The list of top gainers for the session featured prominent names from the rallying sectors, including:
- Graphite India
- Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL)
- Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL)
- Force Motors
- Gujarat Gas
- Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL)
- JSW Steel
Broader Market Shows Divergent Annual Trend
The broader market indices also participated in the year-end rally. The Nifty Midcap 100 index advanced 0.95%, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 index jumped 1.11% on the last trading day. However, their full-year trajectories told a different story. While the midcap index managed to secure a 5.74% gain for 2025, the smallcap index witnessed a decline of 5.62%. This marked the first yearly loss for the small-cap segment since 2022, highlighting the uneven performance within the broader market universe throughout the year.
The session's activity underscored a sector-specific optimism, particularly in commodities and public sector enterprises, allowing investors to close the books on 2025 with a satisfactory return despite the challenges faced by smaller companies.
