Indian equity benchmarks ended higher on Wednesday, with the Sensex rising more than 350 points and the Nifty closing above the 24,050 mark, supported by buying in financial, auto and select IT stocks.
The BSE Sensex gained around 350 points to close near 79,750, while the NSE Nifty50 settled above 24,050 after a largely positive trading session. Market sentiment improved as investors tracked global cues, easing concerns over crude oil prices and awaited the outcome of the US Federal Reserve’s policy meeting.
Among the top gainers, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Finance, ICICI Bank, Titan and HDFC Bank attracted strong buying interest, helping the benchmarks extend their gains. Auto and financial stocks were among the best-performing sectors during the day.
On the other hand, IndusInd Bank, Tata Steel, Hindalco and JSW Steel were among the notable laggards as metal stocks remained under pressure due to concerns over global demand and commodity price volatility.
Broader markets also witnessed buying activity, with several mid-cap and small-cap stocks trading in positive territory. Analysts said investors remained selective, favouring companies with strong earnings visibility and stable growth prospects.
The rupee traded in a narrow range against the US dollar, while foreign institutional investor activity remained in focus. Traders also kept an eye on upcoming macroeconomic data and central bank commentary for clues on future market direction.
Market participants closely monitored developments in global markets and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which continue to influence crude oil prices and foreign investment flows. However, steady domestic inflows and resilient economic indicators helped support sentiment.
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