Market Overview
Indian equities closed higher on Thursday, with the NSE Nifty 50 index adding 0.14% and the BSE Sensex 30 also rising 0.14% at the close of trade.
Index Performance and Sector Drivers
The modest advance was led by strength in the auto, real estate and banking sectors, which outperformed other segments during the session.
Top Gainers on the Nifty 50
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (MAHM) posted the largest gain, rising 3.85% or 117.90 points to finish at 3,182.40. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MRTI) added 3.81% or 505.00 points, ending at 13,753.00. Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TACN) increased 3.04% or 33.40 points to close at 1,131.50.
Top Losers on the Nifty 50
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) fell 2.85% or 6.85 points to trade at 233.15. Hindalco Industries Ltd (HALC) declined 2.51% or 24.50 points, ending at 952.10. Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGRD) dropped 2.20% or 6.40 points to 284.50.
BSE Sensex 30 Highlights
On the BSE, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (BO:MAHM) rose 3.90% to 3,184.00, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (BO:MRTI) gained 3.77% to settle at 13,752.00, and Nestle India Ltd (BO:NEST) increased 1.95% to close at 1,409.00. The worst performers were Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (BO:PGRD) down 2.17% to 284.50, Tech Mahindra Ltd (BO:TEML) down 1.45% to 1,440.00, and Bharti Airtel Ltd (BO:BRTI) down 1.40% to 1,850.70.
Market Breadth
Falling stocks outnumbered advancing stocks on the NSE by 1,690 to 851, with 48 stocks unchanged. On the BSE, 2,436 stocks fell, 1,516 advanced and 181 remained unchanged.
Volatility Indicator
The India VIX, which measures implied volatility of Nifty 50 options, declined 2.17% to a level of 13.10.
Commodity and Currency Movements
Gold futures for August delivery slipped 0.15% or 6.10 points to $4,002.70 per troy ounce. Crude oil for August delivery fell 1.12% or 0.79 dollars to $69.55 per barrel, while the September Brent contract dropped 1.15% or 0.85 dollars to $73.02 per barrel. The USD/INR exchange rate decreased 0.20% to 94.47, and the EUR/INR fell 0.32% to 107.18. The US Dollar Index Futures were marginally down 0.01% at 101.38.