India’s BSE Sensex rose about 0.2% to 74,319 on Friday, extending the previous session’s advance, as renewed buying in IT shares and optimism over corporate earnings helped counter the drag from higher crude oil prices. IT counters led the early gains, buoying the benchmark indices amid an improvement in risk sentiment. Robust earnings also underpinned the market, with Trent (up 5.5%) and InterGlobe Aviation (up 3.0%) among the notable movers.
Upside, however, was constrained as escalating tensions in the Middle East and Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia pushed Brent crude to $116.30, stoking supply concerns and capping further gains. Investors are now awaiting quarterly results from heavyweight names such as Reliance Industries and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries for clearer direction.
Among technology stocks, TCS, Infosys, HCL Tech, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra advanced between 1.1% and 1.9%, emerging as the key contributors to the index’s rise. With Friday’s move, the benchmark is poised to chalk up a 1.6% gain for the week and 2.5% for the month.
