RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25%, Rate-Sensitive Stocks Jump 7%

The trading floor at the BSE erupted in cheers at 10:05 AM yesterday as news flashed across screens: the RBI Monetary Policy Committee had unanimously decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%. Within minutes, algo-driven buy orders flooded rate-sensitive sectors. The decision caught few by surprise, but its execution was flawless. Governor Shaktikanta Das's measured tone during the press conference reinforced the central bank's commitment to supporting growth while keeping inflation anchors firmly in place. The repo rate has now stayed at this level for three consecutive policy meetings. Banking Stocks Lead the Charge The Nifty Bank index closed 5.8% higher, with private sector lenders stealing the show. [State Bank of India](/stock/SBIN) jumped 6.2% to ₹817, its highest close in four months. The stock has been range-bound between ₹750-820 since August, and yesterday's breakout signals renewed institutional confidence. [Kotak Mahindra Bank](/stock/KOTAKBANK) surged 5.9% as investors bet on sustained net interest margins. The lender's asset quality metrics have improved consistently over the past six quarters, making it a favorite among fund managers seeking quality plays. NSE: INDUSINDBK gained 7.1%, while NSE: AUBANK added 4.8% on similar optimism around lending spreads. NSE: BANKBARODA emerged as the session's standout performer, rallying 8.3%. The PSU bank's turnaround story continues to attract value hunters, especially with its price-to-book ratio still trading below historical averages. Realty Sector Hits Multi-Month Highs Real estate developers celebrated the loudest, with the Nifty Realty index posting its best single-day performance since March. NSE: DLF shot up 8.7% to ₹842, breaking through key resistance levels that had capped gains for weeks. [Prestige Estates Projects](/stock/PRESTIGE) wasn't far behind, gaining 7.4% as institutional investors piled in. The Bangalore-based developer has been expanding aggressively in the luxury segment,...