Defying early pessimism and the previous session’s slump, India’s stock market roared back to life on Friday, concluding the week with solid gains. The resurgence was powered by robust performances from PSU banking and metal stocks.
BSE’s flagship Sensex index jumped 316.57 points (0.38%) to 82,814.71. NSE Nifty followed suit, gaining 116.90 points (0.46%) and settling at 25,571.25. All Nifty indices except IT closed higher.
Asian markets grappled with US-Iran strife, but Indian investors remained undeterred. Nifty Midcap 100 advanced 0.48%, while Smallcap 100 edged down 0.11%.
Leading sectors: PSU Bank index soared 1.68%, Metal 1.25%, followed by Auto (0.41%), FMCG (0.56%), and Bank (0.71%). IT index plummeted 0.98%, dragging down tech heavyweights.
Of Sensex’s 30 stocks, 22 rose and 8 fell. Key winners were NTPC, L&T, HUL, Tata Steel, Power Grid, and BEL, with increases up to 2.7%. Top losers included Tech Mahindra, Infosys, Eternal, HCL Tech, and Bharti Airtel.
The day’s action points to renewed faith in cyclical sectors and potential for further upside if global risks ease. Investors are now bracing for the next week’s corporate results and policy announcements.