Indian benchmark indices ended a choppy session on February 25 with a mixed close, as the Sensex managed to gain while the Nifty 50 struggled amid selling pressure in select sectors. The benchmark Sensex added 149 points, or 0.20 per cent, to settle at 74,602, while the Nifty 50 slipped 6 points to close at 22,547, marking its sixth consecutive session of losses.

Banking and financial stocks provided crucial support to the indices, preventing a sharper decline. Heavyweights like helping the Sensex stay in positive territory. Bharti Airtel, M&M, and Maruti Suzuki were among the top gainers on the Nifty, while Bajaj Finance and Nestle also contributed to the resilience.

The metal sector faced intense selling pressure after the US government imposed restrictions on Chinese investments in strategic sectors. Analysts fear that these restrictions could weaken metal demand in China, the world’s largest consumer of metals, impacting global prices. Stocks like Hindalco and Tata Steel led the declines, pulling the sector lower.

Investor sentiment remained cautious amid global uncertainties. Markets took note of former US President Donald Trump’s fresh tariff threats, which added to concerns about global trade. Last month, Trump announced a 10 per cent tariff on all Chinese imports, and this week, he confirmed that tariffs on Canada and Mexico would move forward after a brief delay. The uncertainty surrounding these policies kept investors on edge, leading to reduced market participation and a narrow trading range.

The broader market saw a mixed trend, with the Nifty Midcap 100 index rising 0.3 per cent, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 fell 0.4 per cent. Sectorally, Nifty IT remained weak, extending its losing streak as global growth concerns weighed on sentiment. Meanwhile, FMCG and auto stocks held steady, with consumer-driven demand supporting select stocks.

Market participants remain cautious amid persistent global risks and domestic economic developments. Analysts expect near-term volatility to persist, with key levels to watch at 22,500 on the downside for the Nifty and 75,000 on the upside for the Sensex. Investors will focus on upcoming macroeconomic data and global market trends for further cues.