FX.co ★ Sensex Ends Slightly Higher, Still Posts Weekly Loss

India's BSE Sensex concluded Friday's trading session by advancing approximately 0.2% to settle at 83,432.9. This gain marked an end to the index's two-day losing trend amidst a volatile market environment characterized by cautious optimism against a backdrop of persistent global and local uncertainties. Investor sentiment remained tentative in anticipation of the U.S. tariff deadline set for July 9 and the potential for a U.S.-India trade agreement. Additionally, regulatory measures by SEBI, including a provisional suspension on the U.S.-based quantitative firm Jane Street for suspected market manipulation, contributed to the conservative market stance. Gains were primarily driven by the banking and technology sectors. Bajaj Finance emerged as the top performer on the Sensex, appreciating by 1.7% following its announcement of a 25% increase in assets under management in its pre-quarterly financial update. Other significant contributors to the upward movement included Infosys, Hindustan Unilever, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finserv, HCL Technologies, Ultratech Cement, Eicher Motors, and TCS. Conversely, Trent, Tata Steel, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, and Tech Mahindra were among the underperformers. Over the course of the week, the Sensex endured a 0.7% decline, registering its first weekly downturn in three weeks.