Sectoral Snapshot Today, August 25, 2026: IT, Pharma, PSU Banks Lead Gains; Metals And Private Banks Drag

Mumbai, August 25: Indian equity benchmarks ended higher on Tuesday, but sectoral performance remained mixed as investors navigated a volatile expiry session, elevated crude oil prices and persistent geopolitical uncertainty. IT, pharma, PSU banks, consumer durables, infrastructure and media stocks gained, while metals and private banks came under pressure. 

IT Stocks Gain Despite Weak Global Cues 

The Nifty IT index advanced 0.6%, with buying emerging despite weakness in global technology stocks. Infosys (up 1.24%), TCS (0.5%), and Tech Mahindra (1 %) were among the key stocks in focus as investors assessed the outlook for technology spending and the impact of artificial intelligence on traditional IT services. 

TCS remained particularly in focus after brokerages raised concerns over its acquisition of Porsche’s consulting subsidiary MHP. While the deal strengthens TCS’ presence in European automotive technology, brokers flagged integration risks and MHP’s declining revenue. 

Pharma, Healthcare Stocks Outperform 

Pharma and healthcare stocks also ended higher, benefiting from defensive buying amid a volatile broader market. Cipla was an exception, ending among the biggest Nifty losers, while Max Healthcare (up 2.6%) and Apollo Hospitals (2.15%) featured among the strongest gainers on the benchmark. 

The gains in healthcare stocks provided support to the market as investors remained cautious about sectors more exposed to global growth and commodity-price volatility. 

PSU Banks Gain; Private Banks Lag 

PSU bank stocks advanced around 0.7%, with investors selectively buying state-owned lenders. Stocks such as State Bank of India (up 0.8%), Canara Bank (1.2%), and Union Bank of India (1.8%) were among the key names to watch in the sector. 

The gains came even as private banking stocks remained under pressure. The Federal Bank (down 3%) and Yes Bank (0.4%) were among the private lenders in focus, highlighting the divergence between the two banking segments. Federal Bank and Jana Small Finance Bank came under pressure after a media report flagged a potential stake transaction involving the two lenders. Federal Bank declined around 3%, while Jana Small Finance Bank slipped nearly 1.9%, after CNBC-TV18 reported that Jana’s promoter could offload its entire 16.9% holding to Federal Bank. 

Consumer Durables, Infrastructure, Media In Green 

The consumer durables, infrastructure and media sectors also gained around 0.5%. In consumer durables, Dixon Technologies (up 2.9%), LG Electronics India (1.6%) and Titan Company (0.9%) were among the stocks in focus, while Larsen & Toubro (0.7%) remained a key heavyweight in the infrastructure space. 

The gains in these domestic-facing sectors helped offset weakness in commodity-linked stocks and supported the Nifty’s recovery above the 24,300 mark. 

Oil & Gas Edges Up, Metals Face Selling Pressure 

Oil and gas stocks edged up as crude oil prices declined below $90 per barrel as traders shrugged off fresh sanctions on Iran. Oil marketers advanced, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation rose 0.3%, Bharat Petroleum Corporation rose 2% and Indian Oil Corporation rose 0.4%. 

On the other hand, ONGC and Coal India ended among the major Nifty losers. 

Metal stocks came under pressure, with Hindalco Industries among the biggest drags on the benchmark. Hindustan Copper shares tumbled 7.2% after the government announced an offer for sale of up to a 6% stake in the state-run copper producer. The floor price for the stake sale was set at a discount of about 10.5% to the stock’s previous closing price, weighing on investor sentiment. 

Overall, the sectoral picture remained mixed, with IT, pharma, PSU banks and select domestic-facing sectors supporting the market, while metals and private banks capped gains. The divergence reflected selective buying rather than a broad-based risk-on move, with investors continuing to track crude prices, global technology stocks and geopolitical developments for the next market cues. 

Source

• NSE
• BSE