31 July,2026 05:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image. File pic.
Domestic equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty edged higher for the third consecutive day on Friday, supported by foreign fund inflows and easing of crude oil prices.
The 30-share BSE Sensex advanced 166.49 points, or 0.21 per cent, to settle at 78,094.64. The 50-share NSE Nifty gained 66.45 points, or 0.27 per cent, to end at 24,383.60.
"Indian benchmark indices opened on a positive note and extended their gains throughout the session, supported by broad-based buying across sectors. Stable crude oil prices and easing geopolitical concerns improved investor sentiment, helping the benchmark indices sustain their momentum and trade comfortably above key support levels," Bajaj Broking Research said.
On Thursday, Sensex climbed 273.55 points, or 0.35 per cent, to settle at 77,928.15, while the Nifty gained 66.95 points, or 0.28 per cent, to end at 24,317.15.
From the Sensex pack, Bajaj Finance's stocks soared 8.11 per cent after a strong earnings of 28 per cent rise in consolidated profit after tax at Rs 6,081 crore for the June quarter of FY27.
Bajaj Finserv, Mahindra & Mahindra, Adani Ports, Tata Steel, Reliance Industries, Bharat Electronics and Titan were also among the winners.
It stocks witnessed profit booking and Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, were among the major laggards along with Eternal, ITC and InterGlobe Aviation.
"Domestic sentiment was further supported by a stronger rupee, which appreciated to around Rs 95.4 per US dollar amid foreign capital inflows and lower crude oil prices," Siddhartha Khemka Head of Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services said.
According to news agency PTI, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 3,623.51 crore on Thursday.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, climbed 0.45 per cent to USD 89.43 per barrel, while in Asian markets, South Korea's KOSPI, Japan's Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index ended in the positive territory, as per PTI.
"Positive momentum continued, although some profit booking emerged at higher levels as caution persisted amid elevated yields and potential rate-hike concerns. The sustainability of the recovery will depend largely on the ongoing earnings season, which is currently outperforming forecasts, and on a reduction in global risks. The domestic IT index witnessed profit booking following its recent rally. Meanwhile, a rebound in global chipmakers, supported by strong earnings and spending plans, eased concerns over AI valuations, putting pressure on domestic technology stocks. As the earnings season gathers pace, markets will seek confirmation that the recent improvement in earnings is broad-based rather than concentrated in a few sectors," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments said.
(With inputs from PTI)
