The Indian stock market wrapped up Friday’s session on a steady note, with benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty posting moderate gains. Buying interest was largely confined to select heavyweight stocks, which helped the market end in the green despite weakness beneath the surface.
While headline indices showed strength, broader market participation remained muted. Mid-cap and small-cap stocks struggled to keep pace, reflecting a cautious mood among investors.
Let’s break down how the session unfolded, what moved the indices, and where the action was concentrated.
Market Performance: Sensex and Nifty End Higher
Benchmark indices closed with modest gains, supported by selective buying.
- Sensex ended at 83,580.40, up 266 points or 0.32%
- Nifty 50 closed at 25,693.70, rising 51 points or 0.20%
Despite these gains, broader indices lagged:
- BSE 150 MidCap Index fell 0.11%
- BSE 250 SmallCap Index declined 0.42%
This divergence highlighted that the rally was narrow, driven mainly by a handful of large-cap stocks.
Main News: What Lifted the Sensex and Nifty Today?
Markets edged higher as investors covered short positions in select heavyweight stocks. Global cues remained mixed, which kept overall sentiment cautious.
Several macro factors stayed in focus throughout the session. The recent Union Budget, along with India’s trade engagements with major global economies, continued to shape the broader narrative. However, inconsistent quarterly earnings and ongoing foreign fund outflows limited aggressive buying.
Interest rate policy developments also played a role. The unchanged policy stance offered stability but did not trigger fresh enthusiasm, leading to a measured market response rather than a broad-based rally.
Overall, the day reflected quiet accumulation rather than strong conviction buying.
Top Gainers in the Nifty 50
A few frontline stocks stood out and provided crucial support to the indices.
- ITC surged 5.21%
- Kotak Mahindra Bank gained 3.33%
- Hindustan Unilever advanced 2.83%
Strength in these stocks helped offset weakness in several other index constituents.
Top Losers in the Nifty 50
Losses were visible in a number of stocks, especially within select IT and insurance names.
- HDFC Life Insurance Company fell 2.40%
- Tech Mahindra declined 1.83%
- TCS slipped 1.71%
In total, 31 stocks in the Nifty 50 ended the session in negative territory, underlining the mixed nature of the market.
Sectoral Performance: FMCG Shines, Banks Stay Flat
Sector-wise movement was uneven, with FMCG stocks stealing the spotlight.
- Nifty FMCG jumped 2.27%, emerging as the top-performing sector
- Nifty Consumer Durables rose 0.96%
- Nifty Financial Services added 0.43%
Other sectors posted moderate gains:
- Private Banks
- Realty
- Oil & Gas
These sectors rose by over 0.50% each.
Meanwhile, Nifty Bank ended nearly unchanged at 60,120.55, reflecting indecision among banking heavyweights.
Most Active Stocks by Trading Volume
Trading activity remained high in a few select counters on the NSE.
- Vodafone Idea – 58 crore shares
- Tata Silver ETF – 43.5 crore shares
- Nippon India Silver ETF – 16.9 crore shares
These stocks attracted significant interest from traders, making them the most actively traded by volume.
Advance-Decline Ratio: Market Breadth Remains Weak
Market breadth continued to favor declines, despite gains in headline indices.
- Over 1,900 stocks advanced
- More than 2,200 stocks declined on the BSE
This imbalance reinforced the view that buying interest was limited to specific stocks rather than widespread across the market.
Stocks with Sharp Gains on the BSE
Volatility was visible in individual names, with several stocks posting sharp intraday gains.
- 18 stocks jumped over 15% on the BSE
- Notable names included Loyal Textile Mills, Modis Navnirman, IZMO, and Apollo Pipes
These moves highlighted pockets of stock-specific action despite the broader caution.
52-Week Highs: Over 80 Stocks Touch New Peaks
Positive momentum pushed many stocks to fresh yearly highs.
- 83 stocks hit their 52-week highs on the BSE
Key names included:
52-Week Lows: Pressure Persists in Select Names
At the same time, selling pressure dragged several stocks to fresh yearly lows.
- 107 stocks touched their 52-week lows during intraday trade
Notable stocks included:
Summary: Sensex and Nifty News at a Glance
Friday’s session reflected a market moving ahead cautiously.
Sensex and Nifty managed to close higher, supported by a handful of heavyweight stocks. However, weakness in mid-cap and small-cap segments, a negative advance-decline ratio, and mixed sectoral performance showed that confidence remains selective rather than broad-based.
In short, the Indian stock market ended the day steady on the surface, but the underlying tone stayed measured as investors chose to stay selective and cautious.
Source: Livemint
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