Markets extended their morning gains into the afternoon session on Wednesday, with the Nifty 50 trading at 24,198.15, up 176.50 points or 0.73 per cent, and the Sensex at 77,557.81, up 566.59 points or 0.74 per cent, as of 1.01 PM.
Automobile and healthcare stocks led the rally, while energy and metals faced selling pressure as crude oil prices hovered near $69–70 per barrel, erasing most gains recorded during the recent West Asia conflict. The rupee strengthened to around ₹94.3 against the dollar, supported by the crude price decline and improved global risk appetite following strong earnings guidance from US chipmaker Micron Technology.
On the Nifty 50, Maruti Suzuki was the top gainer, surging 4.91 per cent to ₹13,898 against a previous close of ₹13,248, touching an intraday high of ₹13,917. Max Healthcare climbed 4.65 per cent to ₹1,132 from a previous close of ₹1,081.70, with the stock hitting a high of ₹1,139.80. IndiGo gained 4.41 per cent to ₹5,436.70, touching ₹5,454 intraday, against a previous close of ₹5,207.20. Mahindra & Mahindra rose 4.15 per cent to ₹3,191.60, with an intraday high of ₹3,196, while Shriram Finance advanced 2.34 per cent to ₹1,042.85.
On the losing side, ONGC fell 2.19 per cent to ₹234.75 from a previous close of ₹240, with the stock touching a low of ₹234.50. Coal India declined 2.16 per cent to ₹432.20, hitting a low of ₹432. Hindalco slipped 1.88 per cent to ₹958.20 against a previous close of ₹976.60. Titan fell 1.31 per cent to ₹4,267.20 from a previous close of ₹4,323.80, and Tech Mahindra dropped 1.29 per cent to ₹1,442.80.
The decline in energy stocks reflects crude oil’s sustained fall. MCX Crude Oil opened with a gap-down below ₹6,600, while US oil continued trading below the $70 mark. The Strait of Hormuz developments following the initial US-Iran accord continue to influence energy prices, with tankers exiting the waterway easing earlier supply concerns.
Precious metals remained under pressure. COMEX Gold continued to trade below $4,000 per ounce, while COMEX Silver was near $57, reflecting a broader bearish trend in the metals complex driven by a stronger dollar. MCX Gold was holding above ₹1,40,000, and MCX Silver was attempting to stabilise near the ₹2,14,000–₹2,14,500 zone after a sharp fall from recent highs.
On BSE, of 4,246 stocks traded, 1,753 advanced, 2,285 declined, and 208 remained unchanged. A total of 134 stocks hit 52-week highs against 43 touching 52-week lows. Upper circuit stocks numbered 167, while 154 hit lower circuits.
Technically, Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, noted… “A sustained breakout above 24,200 would reinforce bullish momentum and could pave the way for a move towards 24,400, followed by 24,600.” On the downside, 24,000 remains the key support to watch heading into the final two hours of trade.