Stock markets log biggest single-day rise after suspension of India-Pak hostilities

Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty recorded their biggest single-day gains in absolute terms on Monday (May 12, 2025), skyrocketing nearly 4%, after India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop military actions and U.S. and China announced a deal to lower tariffs significantly.

After opening on a high note, the 30-share BSE Sensex soared by 2,975.43 points or 3.74% to settle at a more than seven-month high of 82,429.90. During the day, it rallied 3,041.5 points or 3.82% to a high of 82,495.97.

The 50-issue Nifty of NSE skyrocketed 916.70 points or 3.82% to close at 24,924.70. In intra-day trade, the barometer zoomed 936.8 points or 3.90% to 24,944.80.

Sensex and Nifty logged their biggest single-day gains in absolute terms on across the board buying led by IT, metal, realty and tech shares. Sensex had previously posted its biggest single-day gain of 2,507.45 points and Nifty by 733.20 points on June 3, 2024.

Stock markets welcomed the understanding reached between India and Pakistan on Saturday (May 10, 2025) to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea.

India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ on early May 7 to destroy nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack.

“Confluence of positive geopolitical and economic developments – the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, coupled with a breakthrough trade agreement between the U.S. and China – sparked the strongest daily market rally in recent times,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.

“Sustained FII inflows, along with a resurgence in retail participation fuelled by expectations of a swift improvement in business sentiment, propelled today’s upside,” he added.

“Adding to the positive sentiment were encouraging updates on the U.S.-China trade deal, which further boosted investor confidence as the session progressed,” Ajit Mishra – SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd. said.

U.S. and China on Sunday (May 11, 2025) announced suspension of high tariffs for 90 days. After their talks in Geneva, the U.S. agreed to cut tariffs on Chinese goods to 30% from 145%, while China announced to lower its tariffs on U.S. goods to 10% from 125%.

From the Sensex firms, Infosys jumped 7.91%. HCL Tech, Tata Steel, Eternal, Tech Mahindra, Tata Consultancy Services, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, NTPC, Reliance Industries and Bajaj Finance were the other major gainers.

Sun Pharma and IndusInd Bank were the only laggards from the pack. The broader markets also mirrored this strength, with Midcap and Smallcap advancing close to 4%.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s benchmark KSE-100 index jumped more than 9% earlier in the day.

In Asian markets, South Korea’s Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index, Shanghai’s SSE Composite index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng settled higher.

Markets in Europe were trading in positive territory.

U.S. markets ended on a mixed note on Friday (May 9, 2025).

“Markets were on a roll and turned buoyant after the news of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan… Investors turned risk-on with safe-haven gold taking a beating while equities turned out to be clear winners on the back of broad-based buying support. With talks on global tariff seen on a smooth path, equities could gain traction going ahead,” Prashanth Tapse, Senior V-P (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd, said.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude jumped 2.88% to $65.75 a barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹3,798.71 crore on Friday (May 9, 2025), after remaining net buyers for many days, according to exchange data.

Stock market benchmark indices tumbled over 1% each on Friday (May 9, 2025) after conflict between India and Pakistan intensified. On Friday (May 9, 2025), the 30-share BSE benchmark gauge tanked 880.34 points or 1.10% to settle at 79,454.47. The Nifty dropped 265.80 points or 1.10% to 24,008.