Indian benchmark equity indices experienced a volatile session on Friday, April 25, 2025, with investor sentiment turning cautious due to rising geopolitical tensions following a deadly terrorist attack on tourists in Kashmir. This led to a second consecutive day of losses for the markets.
The BSE Sensex declined by 588.90 points (0.74%), closing at 79,212.53, while the NSE Nifty 50 fell by 207.35 points (0.86%), settling at 24,039.35.
The market capitalisation of all listed companies on the BSE dropped by ₹8.5 lakh crore, bringing the total to ₹421.13 lakh crore.
Hindustan Unilever, one of India’s largest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, reported its Q4 FY25 results on Thursday. While the company posted solid figures, its shares saw a sharp decline, falling as much as 4.12% to ₹2,324 on the NSE. The FMCG giant’s results reflected cautious consumer sentiment, leading to a sell-off in its stock.
The company announced a net profit of ₹4,307 crore for the quarter ended March 2025, marking an 8.05% increase from ₹3,986 crore in the same period last year. HCL’s shares surged 7.74% to close at ₹1,594.40 apiece, with the market responding positively to the company’s growth prospects in the IT sector.
Shares of Eicher Motors, the maker of Royal Enfield motorcycles, saw a dip of 3% on Wednesday, hitting an intraday low of ₹5,608 apiece. This decline came despite a positive overall sentiment in the two-wheeler sector, triggered by a Bloomberg report that suggested the government might impose a zero tariff on Harley Davidson bikes. Investors were cautious about the potential impact on Eicher Motors’ competitive landscape.
Shares of Eternal, the parent company of Zomato, faced a decline after a significant leadership reshuffle. Rakesh Ranjan, the CEO of Zomato’s food delivery business, announced his departure from the position, though he will remain with the company. The news led to a dip in the stock price, as investors closely monitor the leadership changes in the company.
Read More: Pakistan Stock Exchange Faces Disruptions Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions.
Rising geopolitical tensions, particularly following a deadly terrorist attack on tourists in Kashmir, spooked investors, leading to a cautious sentiment across Indian markets. The sharp drop in market capitalisation over the week reflects the uncertainty surrounding these developments, with investors opting for risk-off strategies amid such tensions.
The reshuffle at Eternal, particularly the stepping down of CEO Rakesh Ranjan, sparked concerns about potential disruption at Zomato’s parent company. This leadership change coincided with broader concerns about management stability in tech and online services companies, adding to investor caution.
The week saw a mixed performance in Indian markets, with geopolitical tensions dampening investor sentiment and leading to losses across major indices. While HCL Technologies stood out with strong earnings, Hindustan Unilever faced a setback as its shares dropped significantly.
As global tensions persist and domestic earnings season continues, market volatility is expected to remain. Investors will need to closely monitor geopolitical developments, corporate earnings, and sector-specific trends in the coming weeks.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
Investments in securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.
Published on: Apr 25, 2025, 4:44 PM IST
Neha Dubey
Neha Dubey is a Content Analyst with 3 years of experience in financial journalism, having written for a leading newswire agency and multiple newspapers. At Angel One, she creates daily content on finance and the economy. Neha holds a degree in Economics and a Master’s in Journalism.
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