The SENSEX Index Closes 0.75% Higher

India’s BSE Sensex closed about 0.75% firmer at 77,502 on Thursday, extending previous session's gains, amid positive global cues and renewed strength in IT stocks. Investors were encouraged by falling oil prices and expectations that central banks may adopt a less aggressive policy stance if inflation continues to cool. Optimism over constructive US-Iran talks in Doha, coupled with Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's reassuring inflation remarks, supported market sentiment. Tech stocks were the standout performers, with Infosys, Tech Mahindra, and other frontline IT companies rising between 4% and 5.6%, on bargain hunting after a four-day losing streak and optimism over tech spending. Other top gainers included Bajaj Finserv (3.3%), Adani Ports (1.9%), Titan (1.7%) and ICICI Bank (+1.5%). On the downside, the biggest laggards were L&T (-0.8%) and Maruti (-0.4%).

The SENSEX Index rose 579 points or 0.75 percent on Thursday to close at 77502 points. Leading the gains are Infosys (5.96%), Tech Mahindra (4.57%) and HCL Tech (4.56%). Top losers were Larsen & Toubro (-0.87%), Axis Bank (-0.69%) and Nestle India (-0.56%).

India’s BSE Sensex rose about 0.7% to 77,383 in early trade on Thursday, following gains in the previous session, as lower crude oil prices lifted sentiment in the import-dependent economy. Brent crude slipped below $71 a barrel after signs of progress in indirect US-Iran talks eased concerns over India's inflation and import bill. Among individual stocks, V-Mart Retail gained after reporting a 23% increase in quarterly revenue and 9% same-store sales growth. Banking shares were also in focus after Indian Bank and Punjab & Sind Bank reported double-digit growth in gross advances. Despite the upbeat start, investors remained cautious ahead of key US unemployment data due later in the day, which is expected to remain unchanged at 4.3% and could offer fresh clues on the Federal Reserve's interest-rate path. Top performers included Vedanta Oil and Gas (11.6%), RHIM (9.4%), Sonata (8.5%), Exide (5.2%), Infosys (4.6%), and Vedanta (4.1%).