India’s BSE Sensex advanced 1.2% to close at 74,151 on Thursday, its highest level since mid-October, recouping the previous session’s losses. Sentiment was supported by softer crude oil prices, unchanged US interest rates, strong corporate earnings, and renewed institutional buying.
Gains were broad-based, led by banking and financials, IT, and FMCG counters. Adani Ports was the top gainer, jumping 5.2% after reporting stronger quarterly earnings and raising its operating profit guidance. Hindustan Unilever rose 2.4% on the back of higher quarterly profit.
Power Grid and NTPC gained 3.7% and 2.3%, respectively, amid expectations that hotter weather linked to El Niño will lift electricity demand for cooling. Kotak Mahindra Bank, Eternal, Bajaj Finance, State Bank of India, Titan, Bharat Electronics, and Infosys also recorded solid advances.
On the downside, Trent (-1.4%), Maruti Suzuki (-1%), Tech Mahindra (-0.2%), and HDFC Bank (-0.1%) ended in the red.
