Analysts noted that the market’s resilience despite global uncertainties points to strong domestic flows and sectoral rotation. While IT stocks remained under pressure, cyclical sectors such as metals, auto, and healthcare led today’s rally, suggesting investors are betting on growth momentum ahead.

BIZ DESK

Domestic equity markets closed on a strong note today, reversing early sluggishness to post healthy gains in the final trading hour. Both benchmark indices advanced over half a per cent, supported mainly by metal, commodities, and healthcare stocks.

Key Benchmarks

• Sensex: Up 410 points (0.51%) to 80,568
• Nifty: Up 135 points (0.55%) to 24,715

The session began flat, with indices oscillating in a narrow band for most of the day. However, late buying interest in metals, auto, and consumer names lifted the benchmarks to close near the day’s highs.

Broader Market Action

The rally was not limited to blue chips. On the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE):

• Mid-Cap index: Up 0.6%
• Small-Cap index: Up 0.9%

The overall market breadth was positive with 2,624 stocks advancing, 1,484 declining, and 162 remaining unchanged.

Sensex Stock Movers

Out of 30 Sensex constituents, 21 ended in the green.

• Top Gainers:
  • Tata Steel (+5.9%) surged on strong global commodity cues.
  • Titan (+1.7%) gained on robust festive demand outlook.
  • Mahindra & Mahindra (+1.6%) rose after reporting steady sales momentum.
• Top Laggards:
  • Infosys (-1.2%) slipped on profit-booking in IT counters.
  • NTPC (-0.5%) eased amid sectoral consolidation.
  • Hindustan Unilever (-0.5%) edged lower as FMCG stocks faced selective selling.

Sectoral Performance

Out of 21 BSE sectoral indices, 16 closed higher, led by metals and commodities.

• Top Gaining Sectors:
  • Metals: +3.1%, buoyed by a rally in Tata Steel and Hindalco.
  • Commodities: +1.6%, aided by strong demand outlook.
  • Healthcare: +1.2%, supported by buying in pharma majors.
• Lagging Sectors:
  • Focused IT: -0.7%
  • IT: -0.6%
  • Teck: -0.5%

Outlook

Analysts noted that the market’s resilience despite global uncertainties points to strong domestic flows and sectoral rotation. While IT stocks remained under pressure, cyclical sectors such as metals, auto, and healthcare led today’s rally, suggesting investors are betting on growth momentum ahead.

Sensex Movers: Steel Shines, IT Slips
Out of the 30 Sensex constituents, 21 stocks ended in the green.
Top Gainers:

• Tata Steel: +5.97%
• Hindalco: +3.05%
• JSW Steel: +2.70%
• Titan: +1.7%
• Mahindra & Mahindra: +1.6%
  Top Laggards:
• Infosys: −1.31%
• NTPC: −0.61%
• Hindustan Unilever: −0.46%
• Wipro: −0.55%
• HDFC Life: −0.80%

-Sectoral Snapshot: Metal Roars, IT Retreats
Out of 21 BSE sectoral indices, 16 posted gains, led by:

Lagging Sectors: | Sector | Movement | |——————|———-| | Focused IT | −0.7% | | IT | −0.6% | | Teck | −0.5%+ |

Global Cues Mixed

• Asian Markets: Mostly weak; Nikkei −0.88%, Shanghai −1.16%
• Europe: Positive; FTSE +0.49%, DAX +0.73%, CAC +0.93%
• US Markets: Under pressure; Dow −0.55%, Nasdaq −0.82%, S&P 500 −0.69%