Weekly Market Review & Top Stocks In Focus For The Week Ended 25th Jul’25

The Sensex and the Nifty are down for the fourth straight week, the longest losing streak so far in 2025. 35 out of 50 Nifty stocks are down this week barring banks and Pharma, all sectors have ended negative. How long will this weakness persist? Are there lower levels insight or markets will bounce back is something only time will tell.   

Indian Markets have been consolidating since the past four weeks but the bias seems negative and it is very clear that Nifty is unable to sustain above the 25200 mark. We went there during the week on Wednesday but on Thursday we saw an entire sell down from those levels, weekly options expiry could also be one of the reasons.

Sector rotation is quite interesting and we have seen how IT sector performed down 4.1% post results from some of the heavyweights, FMCG also underperformed down 3.4% for the week, however BFSI is seen gaining some traction as Nifty Bank and Nifty Financials were up 0.44% and 0.95%. Pharma which was up 0.31% also witnessed some buying.

What has led to this consolidation and negative bias is weak earnings by IT companies and continued selling by foreign institutional investors (FIIs), that completely overshadowed optimism around the Free Trade Agreement signed between India-UK.

Market sentiment was further dampened with respect to concerns over delays in the US-India trade deal and weaker-than-expected Q1 results from FMCG major Nestle India. Importantly the tariff deadline of 1st August is approaching next week, hence all eyes will be on what President Trump does and its impact on the markets.

We expect markets will remain volatile as tariff deadline approaches and also ahead of key FOMC Meeting scheduled next week. Having said that, the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, stronger dollar index and expectation of good quarterly numbers are some of the positives that should support the market sentiment. As stock specific action continues due to ongoing Q1FY26 Earnings, the buy on dip strategy augurs well. With this let me present to you our weekly portfolio review. 

How Did the Markets Fare Last Week?

On a weekly basis ended on Friday, the Indian benchmark indices ended in red. Sensex and Nifty were down 0.4-0.5% each while Midcaps were down 1.7% during the week.

What Might Keep the Markets Busy Into the Next Week?

Earnings are the flavor of the season and investors are busy monitoring the numbers, management commentary on growth and outlook and guidance for the remaining quarters so stock specific actions will continue keeping markets busy.

On the data front starting with domestic cues, we have cumulative Industrial Output, Industrial Output, Manufacturing Output, Infrastructure Output, Bank Loan and Foreign Exchange Reserves etc. While globally the FOMC Meeting Outcome, Fed Chair Jerome Powell Speech will be important to track that will guide us regarding growth and inflation trajectory, Initial Jobless Claims, FDP Data etc. will keep markets busy.

Lastly markets are eagerly waiting for India-US trade negotiations and any update on that along with President Trump’s tariff comment on countries will also be crucial to monitor.    

Crude and FII Flows

Brent Crude Oil Prices rose to above $69/bbl following a string of losses as progress on international trade talks and strong US jobs data eased concerns that demand will deteriorate in the near term.  On the other hand, FIIs remained Net Sellers for the week.

Sector in Focus

Metal, Auto & Financials remained in focus during the week

Stocks That Remained in Focus During The Week

Indian Energy Exchange (IEX):

IEX fell 30% on Thursday after the CERC approved implementation of market coupling norms starting January 2026, paving the way for more competition, in a field dominated by IEX. This drop was also the biggest on record for IEX, with the stock declining to a 52-week low. IEX also reported its quarterly results as well after market hours where revenue went up by 14.7% from last year, while EBT grew by 16%.

Titan:

Titan Holdings International FZCO., (“Titan Holdings”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Titan, has signed an Agreement for Sale and Purchase of Shares with Damas International Limited, UAE, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mannai Corporation QPSC, Qatar (“Mannai”) for the purchase of 67% shareholding in Damas LLC (UAE). Deal values Damas at enterprise value of $283 million and with this Titan to gain access to Damas' 146 stores in six GCC countries. After 31st December 2029, Mannai shall have the right to sell and Titan Holdings shall have the right to acquire the balance 33% shareholding in the holding company, subject to conditions.

Cipla:

The company has entered into definitive agreements to acquire 20% voting rights in iCaltech Innovations Private Limited. iCaltech headquartered in Bangalore, India, is engaged in the conceptualisation, development, manufacturing and marketing of regulatory approved medical diagnostic products (primarily in respiratory). Through this collaboration, Cipla aims to strengthen its partnership with iCaltech for developing integrated healthcare solutions and leveraging synergies between pharmaceutical expertise and advanced medical device technologies.

Dalmia Cement:

Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd has approved a capacity expansion at its Kadapa plant, adding 3.6 MnT of clinker and 6.0 MnT of cement capacity. Post-expansion, total cement capacity will rise to 61.5 MnT and clinker to 34.3 MnT. The Rs 3,287 crore investment, funded via debt and internal accruals, is targeted for completion by Q2FY28. This move aims to boost DCBL’s presence in Northern Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Southern Karnataka.

United Breweries:

In Q1FY26, volume grew 11% despite last year's election impact, with premium portfolio growth of 46% led by Kingfisher Ultra, Amstel Grande, and Heineken® Silver. Gross profit rose 14%, with a 42.5% margin supporting a 10% EBIT rise and strong brand, supply chain, and organizational investments. Rs 136 crore was spent on capex, mainly for commercial and supply chain expansion. The Mangalore unit was closed as part of network optimization, with capacity consolidated at the Mysore brewery. The company remains bullish on future growth, backed by rising incomes, demographics, and premiumization trends.

Sunteck Realty:

Sunteck Realty Limited is entering a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) for a project on the land admeasuring approx. 3.5 acres (~13,500 sq. mtrs.), situated at Mira Road on Western Express Highway, Mumbai. The Company expects to generate a sale component of approx. 5,50,000 square feet RERA carpet area from the development of this land parcel.

Infosys:

In a muted quarter for the Indian IT sector, Infosys stood out as the only largecap IT firm to post sequential revenue growth in constant currency terms for Q1FY26, registering a 2.6% rise. This contrasts sharply with its peers in the Big 5, all of whom saw declines. TCS reported the steepest drop at (3.3%), followed by Wipro (2%), Tech Mahindra (1.4%), and HCLTech (0.8%).

Religare Enterprises:

The Reserve Bank of India on 18th January 2018 had imposed a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) on the company's subsidiary Religare Finvest Limited (RFL), due to the irregularities observed during the inspection for its position as on 31st March 2017. Now, the Bank has noted the company's compliance towards adherence to the CAP conditions. Further, there has also been a change in management and directors of the company. In view of the above, the Reserve Bank of India has decided to withdraw the conditions imposed under CAP with immediate effect. 

SOM Distilleries:

SOM Group of Companies, one of India’s fastest-growing alcobev companies, announced its entry into the regular (mid-premium) whisky segment with the launch of Mahavat Whisky - a bold, flavour-forward expression crafted to deliver the spirit of royalty in every sip. Priced in the Rs 1000- 1100 segment, Mahavat is positioned to compete with some of the top leading regular whisky brands, while redefining expectations through its premium taste and compelling narrative. 

Enviro Infra:

Enviro Infra Engineers has strengthened its presence in Reuse Treatment Technologies by securing two key projects from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). The projects include EPC and 10-year O&M of a 20 MLD STP with Tertiary Treatment and 10 MLD Ultrafiltration system, and another 15 MLD STP with Tertiary Treatment and 7.5 MLD Ultrafiltration system. These wins mark a significant milestone in the company’s growth journey.