The SENSEX Index Closes 0.10% Lower

India’s BSE Sensex gave up some early gains to close about 0.2% down at 74,243 on Friday, as investors weighed the RBI's cautious outlook, foreign investor outflows and geopolitical uncertainties. The RBI unanimously kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and maintained a “neutral” stance, while raising its inflation forecast and cutting its GDP growth projection for the current financial year. Meanwhile, the central bank also announced measures aimed at improving foreign investor participation and easing tax-related frictions in the bond market. Sector-wise, weakness in technology and metal stocks was offset by gains in financial stocks and selected heavyweights. Technology stocks remained under pressure throughout the session, led by TCS (-1.9%) and Tech Mahindra (-1.2%). Other top losers included Trent (-2.2%), Tata Steel (-1.8%) and NTPC (-1.3%). Conversely, Bajaj Finance (1.8%), Axis Bank (1.7%) and ICICI Bank (0.8%) were among the top gainers. For the week, the index shed 0.7%.

The SENSEX Index decreased 74 points or 0.10 percent on Friday to close at 74286 points. The decline was led by Tata Consultancy (-2.01%), Tata Steel (-1.79%) and NTPC (-1.54%). On the upside, the strongest performers were Hindustan Unilever (2.01%), Adani Ports (1.96%) and Bajaj Finance (1.67%).

India’s BSE Sensex rose about 0.3% to 74,545 at the open on Friday, recovering from losses in the previous session as investors positioned ahead of the Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy decision later today. Market sentiment improved after GIFT Nifty futures signaled a stronger start, with traders expecting the RBI to maintain its benchmark policy rate while closely monitoring comments from Governor Sanjay Malhotra for clues on the outlook for inflation, growth, liquidity conditions and potential measures to support capital inflows. Broad-based gains were seen across most sectors, while technology, energy minerals, non-energy minerals, consumer non-durables, and miscellaneous stocks remained under pressure. Among individual stocks, Adani (+2.2%), ZEE (+5.8%), BSE (+1.9%), and Billionbrains (+2.1%) led the early gains, while HFCL (-4.8%), JSLL (-5.0%), and Wockhardt (-6.2%) were among the biggest laggards. Nonetheless, the benchmark remains 0.3% in the red for the week to date.