Sensex Nears 82700 as India-U.S. Trade Talks Boost Market

```html

Indian stock markets closed higher on September 17, 2025, showcasing a second consecutive day of gains. This positive trend was largely fueled by optimism surrounding advancements in India-U.S. trade negotiations and expectations of a U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cut.

The S&P BSE Sensex surged 313 points, concluding the day at 82,693, while the NSE Nifty increased by 91 points, reaching 25,330.

Sector performance presented a mixed picture:

  • Gains were observed in the auto, PSU banking, IT, and oil & gas sectors, with increases ranging from 0.5% to 2.6%.
  • FMCG, consumer durables, telecom, and metals stocks experienced declines.

Notable gainers and losers for the day:

Key Gainers:

  • Tata Consumer
  • SBI
  • BEL
  • Kotak Mahindra Bank
  • Maruti Suzuki

Key Losers:

  • HDFC Life
  • Tata Steel
  • Bajaj Finserv
  • Titan
  • SBI Life Insurance

Market breadth reflected a positive sentiment:

  • Approximately 2,311 shares advanced.
  • 1,655 shares declined on the NSE.
  • Midcap stocks closed flat.
  • Smallcap stocks rose by 0.5%, indicating selective buying interest.

Analysts provided insights into the market's performance:

  • The rally was linked to enhanced prospects in bilateral trade and a stable Indian rupee, which boosted investor confidence ahead of the Fed's policy announcement.
  • Despite the gains, outlooks remain cautious. Jefferies' Mahesh Nandurkar projected moderate returns of 8-9% over the following year, with a range-bound Nifty, due to persisting high valuations and limited foreign investor positioning.

In summary, while the market sentiment appears constructive, it is influenced by global factors and domestic economic fundamentals. India is carefully navigating the evolving trade landscape and overall macroeconomic conditions.

```