Sensex Finishes on Negative Note

India’s BSE Sensex reversed early gains to close about 0.2% lower at 77,989 on Thursday, as investors booked profits following solid advances in the previous two sessions, while volatility increased due to the weekly expiry of Sensex derivatives. Meanwhile, traders remained cautiously optimistic that the Middle East conflict may be approaching an end, while monitoring progress in US-Iran talks and the possible reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Banking, financials and healthcare stocks were among the worst performers, while consumer discretionary, metals and IT advanced. Among single stocks, HDFC Bank (-1.8%), Titan (-1.5%), Mahindra & Mahindra (-1%), Bharti Airtel (-0.8%), Kotak Mahindra Bank (-0.8%) and Bajaj Finance (-0.7%) were the top laggards. Trent (2.8%), Eternal (2.5%), Adani Ports (2.3%), Bharat Electronics (1.8%), Infosys (1.1%), L&T (1%) and Tata Steel (0.9%) posted the biggest gains.

The SENSEX Index dropped -161 points or 0.21 percent on Thursday to close at 77950 points. Losses were led by HDFC Bank (-1.96%), Titan Company (-1.34%) and Mahindra & Mahindra (-1.12%). Offsetting the fall, top gainers were Adani Ports (2.06%), Larsen & Toubro (1.00%) and Eternal Limited (0.99%).

India’s BSE Sensex rose about 0.4% to 78,420 on Thursday, extending gains for a second consecutive session as hopes of a US-Iran peace deal weighed on oil prices and lifted market sentiment. US President Donald Trump said Israel and Lebanon will hold talks later in the day, signaling further easing of Middle East tensions, while oil prices slipped below $95 after reports that Iran could consider allowing ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, outweighing concerns over ongoing supply disruptions. On the corporate front, investors are awaiting the earnings releases from Wipro and HDFC Life Insurance, both scheduled to report their January-March results today. Notable gainers included Gallantt Ispat (+7.5%), Infosys (+1.3%), Gujarat Mineral (+9.3%), and HDB Financial (+8.1%), while laggards included MTAR Tech (-2%), Astral (-2.9%), and Tejas Networks (-4.1%). The benchmark index is up 1.3% so far this week, on track for a second weekly gain after six consecutive weekly losses.