Indian markets surged after a muted opening on Thursday, with both the Sensex and Nifty gaining momentum through the session as investors balanced caution with optimism ahead of key domestic and global events. Sentiment improved on expectations of a potential India-US trade deal and as traders positioned themselves before Friday’s Bihar election results.
Intraday, BSE Sensex climbed around 585 points to trade near 84,840 mark, while the NSE Nifty climbed 179 points, hovering just below 26,000.
Sensex traded 273.62 points or 0.32 per cent positive at 84,740.13 at 12.45 pm, and Nifty 50 rose by 71.40 points or 0.28 per cent to 25,947.20.
The midcap and smallcap indices traded with modest gains. Nifty midcap 100 soared to an intraday high of 61,131.85. All sectoral indices traded in the positive territory, except IT, which dipped. Metal, pharma and realty indices led the chart, soaring close to 1 per cent.
Top gainers and losers intraday
Shares of Asian Paints, ICICI Bank, Interglobe Aviation, Hindalco and Jio Financial Services led the gainers of Nifty 50, while Eternal, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, ONGC, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and BEL depreciated the most.
Vodafone Idea, Groww, Tata Steel and Ashok Leyland were the most actively traded stocks by volume. In addition, Asian Paints, ICICI Bank, and InterGlobe Aviation led the gains on strong buying interest across large-cap counters.
The market breadth on the National Stock Exchange reflected a positive undertone. Out of 3,075 stocks traded, 1,699 advanced while 1,253 declined and 123 remained unchanged, indicating a modestly bullish bias.
A total of 66 stocks, such as Adani Energy, Adani Ports, Cartrade Tech, Alkem, Asian Paints, Ashok Leyland, Biocon and Jindal Steel, touched their 52-week highs, compared with 64 hitting 52-week lows. Meanwhile, 74 stocks were locked in the upper circuit and 47 in the lower circuit.
Midcap and smallcap movers
Under the midcap segment, Ashok Leyland, Biocon, Glenmark, Vodafone Idea, Prestige and Aurobindo Pharma surged 3-5 per cent, while Cochin Shipyard, Swiggy, Policy Bazaar, Astral and Premier Energies declined 2-4 per cent.
Smallcap stocks Data Patterns, PGEL, Signature Global and Five-Star shares surged 3.5-8 per cent, while Tejas Networks, Ircon, BLS International, Afcons and Radico depreciated 2.5-4 per cent.
Shares of Tata Steel, Asian Paints, Ashok Leyland, Data Patterns, Honasa Consumer and Nazara Tech reacted significantly to Q2 results. Investors should watch out for Eicher Motors, Muthoot Finance, LG, Hero Motocorp, VMM, BDL, GMR Airport and more Q2 results lined-up for the day.