Last Updated on June 18, 2026 11:05 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
Financials and Healthcare Lead Rally
By Our Business Correspondent
Indian equity benchmarks extended their upward momentum for a fifth straight trading session on Thursday as softer crude oil prices, easing geopolitical concerns and improving foreign investor sentiment supported risk appetite across markets. Gains were broad based, with banking, healthcare and select consumptionlinked counters driving the advance, while information technology stocks continued to face pressure amid concerns over global growth and interest rates.
The rally reflected a combination of domestic resilience and improving external conditions, as investors responded positively to declining energy prices, renewed hopes of progress in US Iran peace efforts, and signs of stabilisation in global financial markets.
After witnessing intraday volatility, the benchmark indices recovered sharply from early lows. The S&P BSE Sensex rose 254.36 points, or 0.33 per cent, to close at 77,409.98, while the Nifty 50 advanced 82.30 points, or 0.34 per cent, to settle at 24,168, reclaiming and holding above the key 24,150 level.
MARKET AT A GLANCE (JUNE 18, 2026)
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| Index / Metric | Closing Value| Change (%) |
+————————+————–+————+
| S&P BSE Sensex | 77,409.98 | +0.33% |
| NSE Nifty 50 | 24,168.00 | +0.34% |
| India VIX | 12.67 | -3.90% |
| Brent Crude (Per Bbl) | $77.93 | -2.04% |
| USD/INR | 94.3800 | -0.13% |
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The sustained rally has significantly improved market sentiment over the past week. Over the last five sessions, the Sensex has climbed nearly 4.85 per cent, while the Nifty has gained 4.35 per cent, indicating renewed investor confidence despite persistent global macroeconomic uncertainty.
Healthcare stocks emerged among the strongest performers, supported by company specific developments and expectations of steady earnings growth. Banking and financial counters also remained in demand, benefiting from expectations of stable credit growth and continued institutional inflows.
Among major movers, Max Healthcare Institute gained 6.46 per cent, while HDFC Bank and State Bank of India (SBI) advanced 1.74 per cent and 1.56 per cent respectively.
Market breadth remained decisively positive, highlighting broad participation beyond frontline stocks. The BSE 150 MidCap Index gained 0.41 per cent and the BSE 250 SmallCap Index rose 0.67 per cent, indicating continued interest in domestic growth themes.
On the broader market, 2,425 shares advanced on the BSE against 1,811 declines, while 192 stocks remained unchanged.
One of the key sentiment drivers was the decline in market volatility. India VIX, often referred to as the market’s fear gauge, fell 3.90 per cent to 12.67, suggesting investors expect lower near-term uncertainty.
Commodity and currency trends also offered support. Brent crude prices declined more than 2 per cent to below $78 per barrel, easing concerns over imported inflation and reducing pressure on India’s external balances.
Meanwhile, the Indian rupee strengthened modestly against the US dollar to trade near 94.38 compared with the previous close of 94.50. Bond markets also reflected improving sentiment, with the yield on India’s benchmark 10-year government security easing to 6.842 per cent.
Gold prices corrected sharply, with MCX Gold futures for August settlement falling over 2 per cent to Rs 1,50,612, reflecting reduced safe haven demand.
Global cues remained mixed but supportive. US stock futures indicated a stronger opening for Wall Street, although caution persisted after the US Federal Reserve signalled that interest rates may stay elevated for longer than previously expected.
The Federal Reserve maintained its benchmark interest rate in the 3.50–3.75 per cent range but revised its year end rate outlook higher, indicating the possibility of further tightening if inflation risks persist. The announcement triggered volatility in global markets overnight, with US equities ending sharply lower and Treasury yields moving higher.
Across Europe, investors remained cautious ahead of policy announcements from the Bank of England and Swiss National Bank, while labour market data from the UK indicated marginal improvement in employment conditions.
Back home, stock-specific action continued to drive investor interest.
State Bank of India gained after its board approved plans to raise up to Rs 60,000 crore during FY27 through debt issuance in domestic and overseas markets, reinforcing the lender’s growth and capital strategy.
Redington surged 8.87 per cent amid expectations that potential price increases across selected Apple products could improve distribution economics and support revenue growth.
Telecom and infrastructure player HFCL hit the upper circuit after securing a Rs 2,666 crore order from Rail Vikas Nigam for the BharatNet Phase III project in Uttar Pradesh (West), strengthening its order pipeline.
E commerce major FSN E Commerce Ventures (Nykaa) jumped over 6 per cent after unveiling an ambitious FY30 growth roadmap targeting multi fold revenue expansion, stronger profitability and improved capital efficiency across beauty, fashion and B2B verticals.
In mobility and sustainability, JBM Auto moved higher after its subsidiary secured a Rs 750 crore strategic investment aimed at accelerating electric bus deployment.
Pharmaceutical major Lupin gained after launching Azilsartan Medoxomil tablets in the US market following regulatory approval, while Lemon Tree Hotels rose after announcing expansion into Sri Ganganagar.
Industrial exporter Kirloskar Ferrous Industries rallied after securing an export order worth approximately $13.5 million from the United Kingdom.
Looking ahead, market participants will continue to track crude prices, global interest rate expectations, monsoon progress, foreign fund flows and corporate earnings for further direction. For now, easing geopolitical risks and improving domestic indicators appear to be providing investors with renewed confidence.