Stocks in India Hit 8-week High

India’s BSE Sensex rose about 0.6% to 78,001 on Friday, extending gains for a third straight session and reaching its highest level since April 22, as easing expectations of a near-term US Federal Reserve rate hike and softer crude oil prices boosted investor sentiment. Information technology stocks led gains, buoyed by easing US interest-rate expectations after softer-than-expected jobs data strengthened the outlook for lower borrowing costs. Zensar and HCL Tech rose 5.8% and 4.2% respectively, while TCS, Persistent, Wipro, Eternal and Coforge increased between 1.2% and 2.5%. Meanwhile, investor focus remained on quarterly business updates, with Bajaj Finance reporting a 20% increase in new loans and a 24% rise in assets under management. Punjab National Bank posted an 11.7% increase in domestic advances, while Avenue Supermarts reported 15.1% revenue growth. FMCG major Marico said it expects first-quarter revenue growth to exceed 20%, reflecting healthy demand trends.

SENSEX increased to 78152.00 Index Points, the highest since May 2026. Over the past 4 weeks, SENSEX gained 4.24%, and in the last 12 months, it decreased 6.89%.

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%).