Market rally continues: Sensex, Nifty surge to year high

The Indian share market indices ended on a higher note on Friday, driven by gains in major heavyweights such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Reliance Industries. Optimism around an earnings rebound and rising expectations of a December rate cut supported investor sentiment, helping both benchmarks log weekly gains. The BSE Sensex surpassed 84,000 for the first time since June 30, 2025, while the Nifty crossed 25,700, led by strong buying in autos, consumer durables, FMCG, and banking stocks.At close, the Sensex was up 484.53 points or 0.58 percent at 83,952.19, and the Nifty was up 124.55 points or 0.49 percent at 25,709.85. 
Asian Paints, Bharti Airtel, Max Healthcare, ITC, M&M were the top gainers on the Nifty, while losers included Wipro, Infosys, Eternal, HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra.On the sectoral front,media, IT, metal, PSU Bank indices fell 0.5-1%, while auto, bank, healthcare, FMCG, consumer durables rose 0.5-1%.BSE midcap and smallcap indices shed 0.4% each.
Market This Week: 
●For the week BSE Sensex, Nifty rose 1.7 percent each, while Nifty Bank index added 2 percent,
●Market rises for 3rd straight week, Sensex & Nifty up nearly 2% each,
●Market Records biggest weekly gain in 4 months,
●Nifty Bank moves in-line with benchmarks while Midcap index underperforms
●Midcap index posts a gain of 0.3% & Nifty Bank nearly 2%
Rupee Close: 
On 17 Oct'25, the Indian rupee closed 15 paise lower at 87.97 against the US dollar on Friday.
Trading Guide:
Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments stated,the market has continued its upward momentum, reaching a new 52-week high, largely driven by consumption-oriented stocks, anticipating improved volume growth. Inline earnings from banks and signs of easing asset quality stress have bolstered overall industry optimism. Conversely, the IT index has faced pressure due to concerns over discretionary spending and rising asset quality risks in the U.S. banking system.Global economic disruptions like escalating trade war and slowing economic data have made investors jittery, prompting them to seek refuge in gold, which has surged to a new all-time high. Despite these global uncertainties, the resilient domestic economic performance has bolstered investor sentiment, keeping Indian equities largely insulated.
Market experts recommended five stocks to buy on Friday-Parag Milk Foods, Privi Speciality Chemicals, Hindware Home Innovation, Ramco Systems, and Endurance Technologies.

(Business Correspondent)