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Markets Close Higher Led by Banks, Realty; Nifty Nears 25,700 Despite Mixed Broader Trend
Markets Close Higher Led by Banks, Realty; Nifty Nears 25,700 Despite Mixed Broader Trend
Sensex Today: Snapping a two-day falling streak, Indian equities closed Monday’s session on a positive note, sharply recovering from early weakness as strong buying in banking, realty, and pharma stocks lifted benchmark indices while broader markets posted modest gains. The BSE Sensex jumped 650.39 points or 0.79% to close at the day’s high of 83,277.15, while the NSE Nifty rose 211.65 points or 0.83% to end the day above the 25,650 level at 25,682.75.
The Nifty Bank rose 1.27% to 60,949.10, nearing its 52-week high of 61,764.85, while the Nifty PSU Bank surged 1.50%, emerging as the top sectoral gainer. The Nifty Private Bank climbed 1.19%, reflecting strong institutional participation.
Broader Markets Lag Benchmarks
In the broader markets, mid- and small-cap indices ended higher but underperformed large caps. The Nifty Midcap 100 was up 0.48%, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 rose 0.11%. However, the Nifty Microcap 250 was down 0.74%.
Sectoral Leaders and Laggards
Sector-wise, the top gainers were realty (+1.59%), PSU banks (+1.50%), pharma: (+0.94%), oil & gas (+0.90%), and metals (0.69%).
Underperformers were auto (-0.73%), media (-0.87%), financial services (excluding banks) (-0.16%), and chemicals (-0.09%).
India VIX Rises 0.28%
The India VIX edged up 0.28% to 13.33, suggesting mild caution even as markets advanced. Volatility remaining above recent lows indicates traders are still hedging positions amid global uncertainties.
What Analysts Say
Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, a SEBI-registered online trading and wealth tech firm, said, “Indian equities closed with a stable-to-positive undertone, supported by healthy sectoral rotation despite lingering global macro uncertainties. Financials led the gains, with both PSU and private banks witnessing steady accumulation, as improved regulatory clarity and comfortable liquidity conditions reinforced confidence in credit growth visibility and asset-quality stability."
Capital goods, realty, consumer and metal stocks added further strength on expectations of sustained domestic demand and continued infrastructure-led spending momentum. In contrast, the IT pack remained relatively subdued, reflecting cautious global demand cues and selective institutional positioning, he added.
“The second half of the session saw a clear improvement in risk appetite, indicating investors are gradually discounting near-term policy concerns and shifting focus toward earnings resilience and domestic macro strength. Overall, the market structure points to selective accumulation and improving sentiment, maintaining a constructive bias," he said.
Vinod Nair, head of research, Geojit Investments Limited, said, “After a range-bound opening, domestic markets edged higher, supported by renewed buying interest in banking and power stocks. The power sector gained on expectations of sustained demand momentum, while improved loan growth and stable asset quality bolstered confidence in banks."
Globally, a continued decline in the US 10-year yield following benign inflation data strengthened expectations of a Fed rate cut later this year, with investors now closely awaiting the upcoming Fed minutes for further direction. Meanwhile, stability in the INR and range-bound crude oil prices ahead of US–Iran talks are offering additional support to domestic equities, he added.
Technical View
Rupak De, senior technical analyst at LKP Securities, said, “The Nifty started the day on a weak footing but held firm as there was no follow-through selling pressure. The index then rallied to its day’s high following the formation of a hidden positive divergence on the hourly chart, resulting in a bullish engulfing candle on the daily timeframe."
If the Nifty holds above 25,600 till the close, the uptrend may continue in the near term. On the higher side, it could move towards 25,800 and above. However, a fall below 25,500 may reactivate bearishness in the market, he added.
Source: News18
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