Indian stock markets ended higher on Thursday, helped by a strong rally in information technology (IT) shares and easing crude oil prices. Positive global cues and improving investor sentiment also supported the market, pushing both benchmark indices firmly into the green.
The BSE Sensex climbed 579.48 points, or 0.75%, to close at 77,502.12, while the NSE Nifty50 gained 169.85 points, or 0.71%, to settle at 24,175.70.
Markets opened with gains and remained positive throughout the session, led by a sharp rebound in IT stocks.
Infosys emerged as the top performer, rising 5.64%. Other major IT companies also posted strong gains, with Tech Mahindra advancing 4.32%, TCS climbing 4.28% and HCLTech adding 4.12%. Bajaj Finance was another notable gainer, ending 3.25% higher.
On the other hand, a few heavyweight stocks closed lower. Larsen & Toubro slipped 0.78%, while Maruti Suzuki and Axis Bank fell 0.43% and 0.33%, respectively.
Among sectoral indices, Nifty IT was the biggest gainer of the day. It was followed by gains in the auto, FMCG, financial services and metal indices.
Broader markets also finished on a positive note. The Nifty Midcap 100 rose 0.48%, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 gained 1.25%.
Meanwhile, India VIX, often referred to as the market’s fear gauge, fell 7.21%, indicating that investors were less worried about near-term market volatility.
According to Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments Limited, lower crude oil prices and positive global developments helped improve investor confidence.
“Indian markets ended higher as easing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz pushed crude prices lower, while dovish remarks from the Fed Chair reinforced expectations of moderating inflation and a supportive global rate environment,” he said.
Nair added that expectations surrounding the India–Japan Summit also lifted market mood.
“Sentiment was further aided by optimism surrounding the India–Japan Summit, with investors anticipating deals on trade, defence, semiconductors, AI cooperation, a proposed rupee-yen settlement framework and deeper bilateral capital flows,” he said.
Nair said the rally in IT stocks was driven not only by short covering but also by growing confidence in the sector’s long-term prospects.
“The standout performer was the IT sector, which, supported by short covering, also rallied following the strengthening view that Indian IT firms will remain a key enabler of enterprise AI adoption,” he noted.
Market participants will now keep an eye on a series of domestic and global developments that could influence trading in the coming sessions.
“Going forward, market direction will be driven by the US non-farm payrolls data, developments from the India–Japan Summit, and the incoming Q1FY27 earnings results,” Nair said.
With global sentiment improving and the earnings season around the corner, investors will be watching whether the current market momentum can continue in the days ahead.
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