Investors rejoiced as Mumbai’s equities market closed in positive territory on Thursday, with benchmark indices logging handsome gains. Sensex advanced 899.71 points (1.14%) to 80,015.90, and Nifty rose 285.40 points (1.17%) to 24,765.90, capping a session dominated by defence-led exuberance.
The Nifty India Defence index outperformed with a 2.55% jump, followed by metals at 2.29%, PSE at 2.22%, infra at 2.21%, consumer durables at 2.10%, commodities at 2.05%, and energy at 1.92%. Nifty IT was the only index in negative, falling 0.59%.
Market breadth was impressive, with mid and small-caps shining. Nifty Midcap 100 climbed 867.40 points (1.52%) to 57,792.55, and Nifty Smallcap 100 added 257.30 points (1.58%) to reach 16,538.80.
Top Sensex performers encompassed Adani Ports, L&T, NTPC, BEL, IndiGo, M&M, Power Grid, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finance, Sun Pharma, UltraTech Cement, Bajaj Finserv, Kotak Mahindra Bank, HDFC Bank, Titan, Trent, Asian Paints, and Bharti Airtel. Laggards comprised Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech, HUL, ICICI Bank, SBI, Infosys, Eternal, TCS, ITC, and Axis Bank.
The surge is linked to strategic buying in dips across metals, PSUs, and infra stocks, supported by upbeat global markets. Notably, India VIX tumbled 15.56% to 17.85, a bullish indicator of diminishing fear and steady sentiment.
As the market digests these gains, attention shifts to macroeconomic indicators and earnings season. The defence and infra focus hints at a thematic rally with legs, promising more action in coming weeks.