India’s BSE Sensex climbed about 0.5% to 75,741 on Friday, extending gains for a third consecutive session. However, upside momentum was capped by rising crude oil prices and mounting geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
Regional tensions remained high following reports that Iran had seized a vessel near the UAE and after an Indian cargo ship was sunk off the coast of Oman the previous day. Sentiment was further pressured after US President Trump, in a Thursday interview, signaled a tougher stance on Iran, saying he would not remain patient with the country.
Technology stocks led the advance, with Shadowfax up 8%, Nazara gaining 6.2%, and Infosys rising 3.2%. Tata Motors also added 4.8%, despite a quarterly profit decline, as investors focused on sequential improvement in margins and free cash flow across its India and Jaguar Land Rover operations, as well as strong volume guidance.
On the downside, Data Patterns (-9.7%) and Sai Life (-13.3%) were among the session’s weakest performers.
