Stock markets end higher after U.S. Fed rate cut; log gains for 3rd day

Stock markets closed higher for the third consecutive day on Thursday (September 18, 2025), with the benchmark Sensex gaining 320 points to end above the 83,000 level after the U.S. Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points and signalled the possibility of two additional rate reductions this year.

The 30-share BSE Sensex rallied 320.25 points or 0.39% to settle at 83,013.96. During the day, it jumped 447.5 points or 0.54% to 83,141.21.

The 50-share NSE Nifty climbed 93.35 points or 0.37% to 25,423.60.

Among Sensex firms, Eternal, Sun Pharma, Infosys, HDFC Bank, HCL Tech, Hindustan Unilever, Power Grid, ITC and Adani Ports were the major gainers.

However, Tata Motors, Trent, Bajaj Finance and Asian Paints were among the laggards.

In Asian markets, South Korea’s Kospi and Japan’s Nikkei 225 index settled over 1% higher, while Shanghai’s SSE Composite index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng ended more than 1% lower.

Markets in Europe were trading significantly higher. U.S. markets ended on a mixed note on Wednesday (September 17, 2025).

“On the global front, the US Fed’s 25 bps rate cut lifted investor sentiment,” R. Ponmudi, CEO of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth tech firm, said.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude dipped 0.56% to $67.57 a barrel.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) again offloaded equities worth ₹1,124.54 crore on Wednesday (September 17, 2025) after a day’s breather, according to exchange data.

On Wednesday (September 17, 2025), the Sensex edged higher by 313.02 points or 0.38% to settle at 82,693.71. The Nifty climbed 91.15 points or 0.36% to 25,330.25.