Stock Market: Sensex Rises 405 Points; Nifty Around 19,550. Auto, IT Stocks Lead

The two key equity benchmarks, Sensex and Nifty, on Thursday closed in the green on easing oil rates amid a global rally. The domestic indices settled around 0.6 per cent higher each. The S&P BSE Sensex gained 406 points to end at 65,632. On the other hand, the NSE Nifty50 advanced 110 points to close shop at 19,546.

On the 30-share Sensex platform, L&T, Titan, TCS, M&M, Infosys, ICICI Bank were among the early gainers. On the downside, PowerGrid, NTPC, Nestle, HCL, Bajaj Finance, Tata Steel emerged losers.

In the broader markets, the indices ended mixed with the Midcap index went down 0.03 per cent, while the Smallcap index edged up 0.6 per cent.

Sectorally, auto, bank, Information Technology, and capital goods up 0.5-1 per cent, while selling was seen in the pharma, power, and PSU Bank names.

In the previous session on Wednesday, the S&P BSE Sensex closed at 65,226, down 286 points, while the NSE Nifty50 shut shop at 19,436, falling 93 points.

In Asian markets, Tokyo, and Hong Kong settled in the green, while Seoul ended lower. Trading was closed in Shanghai for a holiday. European markets were trading on a mixed note. The US markets ended in positive territory on Wednesday.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude declined 0.89 per cent to $85.05 a barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 4,424.02 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.

Meanwhile, the rupee pared initial gains and settled 3 paise lower at 83.27 against the US dollar on Thursday, following a recovery in the American currency. Forex traders said the rupee consolidated in a narrow range as investors preferred to stay on the sidelines ahead of the Reserve Bank of India’s rate decision.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 83.21 against the greenback and touched an intra-day low of 83.30 and a high of 83.16. It finally settled at 83.27, down 3 paise over its previous close of 83.24.