Sensex Closes Slightly Higher

India's BSE Sensex pared early losses to close about 0.2% up at 75,318 on Wednesday, after volatile trading, supported by selective buying in heavyweights amid ongoing uncertainty. Geopolitics remained in focus, with attention also shifting to FOMC minutes later in the day. Traders stayed cautiously optimistic over a possible US-Iran deal, but conflicting signals from Washington and Tehran and ongoing disruptions to the Middle East supply continued to drive volatility in energy markets. Sectorally, strong buying in oil & gas, autos and banking indices outweighed weakness in IT, FMCG and consumer durable stocks. Reliance Industries gained 2.8% and led the way, notching its biggest daily gain in over three years. Bajaj Finserv (1.3%), Trent (1%), IndiGo parent InterGlobe Aviation (1%), Axis Bank (1%) and M&M (0.9%) also advanced firmly. On the downside, BEL (-2.3%), Tech Mahindra (-1.9%), Eternal (-1.5%), Hindustan Unilver (-1%) and ITC (-0.9%) were among the top losers.

The SENSEX Index gained 118 points or 0.16 percent on Wednesday to close at 75318 points. Gains were led by Reliance Industries (2.83%), Bajaj Finserv (1.28%) and Axis Bank (1.10%). Biggest losers were Tech Mahindra (-1.92%), Tata Steel (-1.05%) and Eternal Limited (-1.01%).

India’s BSE Sensex fell about 0.4% to 74,879, extending losses from the previous session as global risk sentiment weakened amid elevated crude oil prices and higher US Treasury yields driven by renewed geopolitical tensions involving Iran. The downturn was also fueled by reports that the US had been close to authorizing a strike on Iran but paused at the last moment after emerging diplomatic signals suggested possible negotiations, keeping markets wary of further escalation. Key laggards included PI Industries, which fell 7% after reporting a 12% decline in March-quarter revenue, and ZEE Entertainment, which dropped 5.5% following a quarterly loss, as clients cut advertising spending amid Middle East tensions, while higher costs continued to pressure the broadcaster’s margins. Bharat Electronics (-2.7%), Tata Steel (-2.6%), Garden Reach (-2.2%), and Hindustan (-1.7%) also posted declines, while Viyash (+16.3%), Dredging Corporation (+12.3%), and BLS (+7.7%) were the top performers.