Introduction
On June 24, 2025, the stock of NTPC Ltd. witnessed a sharp decline of approximately 4% on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The sudden dip was accompanied by an extraordinary surge in trading volumes, with over 100 million shares changing hands during the session. This unusual activity has sparked significant interest among investors, market analysts, and institutional players, prompting a deeper dive into the factors that may have triggered the selloff and the potential implications for NTPC’s future.
This article delves into the market dynamics behind the drop, analyzes investor sentiment, institutional participation, and offers a broader view of NTPC’s position within India’s energy sector and its stock market trajectory.
NTPC: A Quick Overview
NTPC Ltd., formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation, is India’s largest energy conglomerate. A government-owned Maharatna company under the Ministry of Power, NTPC is involved in the generation and sale of electricity to state-owned power distribution companies and private firms. The company has also diversified into renewable energy, coal mining, equipment manufacturing, and consultancy services.
As of June 2025, NTPC commands a market capitalization exceeding ₹3 lakh crore and has a significant presence in investor portfolios, both retail and institutional.
What Triggered the 4% Drop?
1. Massive Volume Spike
One of the most striking elements of the June 24 trading session was the sheer volume. Over 100 million shares of NTPC were traded across BSE and NSE, compared to the 30-day average volume of around 12–15 million shares. This marked a nearly 6–8x surge in liquidity.
Such high volumes usually indicate the presence of large institutional activity — either through bulk deals, block sales, or portfolio reshuffling.
2. Block Deals and Institutional Selling
Market insiders and data from the exchanges suggest that several large block deals were executed during the session. While the identity of the sellers has not been officially confirmed, sources indicate that some domestic mutual funds and foreign institutional investors (FIIs) might have reduced their exposure in NTPC.
These large offloads might have been part of quarterly portfolio realignments, sector rotation strategies, or even pre-emptive exits based on NTPC’s upcoming financial performance or regulatory changes.
3. Profit Booking After Strong Run-Up
NTPC stock has been on a bullish trend for the past several months, reaching its 52-week high just last week. Many traders see the current fall as a natural correction, driven by profit booking after a sustained rally. The fall does not necessarily reflect a shift in fundamentals but may signal a temporary pause in momentum.
Historical Context: NTPC’s Stock Performance
NTPC has delivered strong returns to its shareholders over the past year. From ₹170 in mid-2024, the stock had surged to ₹325 by June 2025 — an impressive 90% return. Several factors contributed to this uptrend:
- Rising Power Demand: Post-pandemic economic recovery and rising electrification led to increased power demand across the country.
- Renewable Energy Push: NTPC’s diversification into green energy — including solar, wind, and hydrogen projects — appealed to ESG-focused investors.
- Government Support: Policy announcements favoring PSU stocks and energy infrastructure development bolstered investor confidence.
- Strong Financials: Consistent quarterly results and healthy dividend payouts made NTPC a preferred pick for income-seeking investors.
Hence, the stock was bound to attract attention — both positive and negative — as it approached overbought territory on technical charts.
Market Reaction: BSE and NSE Performance
NSE Data:
- Opening Price: ₹321.00
- Intra-day Low: ₹305.10
- Closing Price: ₹308.25
- Volume: 65 million shares
- Delivery %: 39%
BSE Data:
- Opening Price: ₹320.90
- Intra-day Low: ₹306.15
- Closing Price: ₹307.80
- Volume: 37 million shares
- Delivery %: 42%
Both exchanges showed heavy selling pressure from the opening bell, with NTPC failing to recover meaningfully throughout the session.
Technical Analysis
Technical charts reveal some important signals:
- Relative Strength Index (RSI): Dropped from 76 to 58 — moving out of overbought territory.
- Support Level: ₹302-305 is a key support zone; a breach could lead to ₹290 in the short term.
- Resistance Level: ₹325 remains the recent top.
- Moving Averages: The 50-day and 200-day moving averages are still in bullish alignment, indicating long-term uptrend is intact.
Market participants suggest that unless the ₹300 mark is decisively broken, the current drop may remain a technical correction rather than a bearish reversal.
Analyst Opinions
Bullish View:
- ICICI Securities: “The correction in NTPC offers a good opportunity to accumulate for long-term investors. The fundamentals remain strong, and green energy initiatives will enhance long-term growth.”
- Motilal Oswal: “We maintain a ‘Buy’ with a target of ₹360. The company’s solar capacity addition and consistent profitability make it a core PSU play.”
Bearish View:
- CLSA: “Short-term headwinds persist due to concerns around power sector regulation and possible tariff revisions. Investors should wait for clarity.”
- Kotak Institutional Equities: “The valuation is rich post the recent run-up. Caution is warranted for fresh entries.”
Retail vs Institutional Participation
Data from stock exchanges suggest:
- FIIs were net sellers of ₹380 crore worth of NTPC shares.
- DIIs (Domestic Institutional Investors) were net buyers of around ₹210 crore.
- Retail Investors accounted for 18% of the total trades, indicating relatively less panic among small investors.
This suggests that while foreign funds may be reducing exposure, domestic entities still maintain confidence in the stock’s fundamentals.
Broader Market Impact
NTPC is a heavyweight stock in major indices such as the Nifty 50 and BSE Power Index. Its fall led to a partial drag on:
- Nifty Energy Index: Down 1.6%
- BSE Power Index: Down 1.9%
- Nifty 50: Down 0.35%, primarily led by PSU declines
Other PSU stocks such as PowerGrid and NHPC also saw marginal declines due to sectoral sentiment.
Possible Reasons Behind Institutional Selling
- Global Risk-Off Mood:
With global bond yields rising and concerns around US Fed rate hikes, FIIs have been reducing exposure to emerging markets, including India. - Rebalancing Before Quarter-End:
June is typically a rebalancing month for global portfolios. Funds might be locking in gains or rotating into underweight sectors. - Regulatory Developments:
There are speculations about upcoming changes in power purchase agreements (PPAs) and tariff structures. These could affect earnings forecasts for NTPC in the coming quarters. - ESG Considerations:
Despite its green efforts, NTPC is still a coal-heavy power producer. ESG-sensitive investors may be reallocating capital toward pure-play renewable firms.
NTPC’s Fundamentals Remain Robust
Despite the market turbulence, NTPC’s financials continue to reflect strength:
- FY24 Revenue: ₹1.86 lakh crore
- Net Profit: ₹19,200 crore
- EBITDA Margin: 23%
- Dividend Yield: ~4.5%
The company has plans to add over 5 GW of renewable energy capacity in the next two years and reduce its carbon footprint substantially. Its coal-based fleet continues to operate at high plant load factors, ensuring stable cash flows.
What Should Investors Do?
Short-Term Traders:
Caution is advised. The stock is volatile, and further downside cannot be ruled out if institutional selling continues. Use stop-losses and avoid aggressive buying until stability returns.
Long-Term Investors:
If you believe in NTPC’s growth story, the current dip may be a good opportunity to accumulate in staggered buying. Focus on long-term potential, particularly in clean energy transformation.
Conclusion
The 4% decline in NTPC shares, accompanied by the trading of over 100 million shares, highlights the unpredictable nature of capital markets. While the drop may appear concerning at first glance, the fundamentals of the company remain intact, and the fall appears driven more by institutional reshuffling and technical triggers than by negative company-specific news.
Market watchers will be keenly observing whether the ₹300 level holds, and whether NTPC can bounce back in the coming sessions. For now, the stock remains one of India’s most prominent PSU counters — trusted by investors for its stability, dividends, and long-term growth in the power sector.