The SENSEX Index Closes 1.13% Higher

Indian stocks closed sharply higher on Wednesday with strong support from tech companies, offsetting the impact of higher energy prices. The S&P/BSE Sensex gained 1.2% to 77,655 and the NSE Nifty 50 rose 1.1% to 24,250. Technology and software companies led the gains as markets took advantage of their lower valuations following the sector's selloff in recent sessions. The selloffs took place in tandem with North American software counterparts amid concerns that improving AI technologies would reduce demand for proprietary software. The tech sector was due to be tested again ahead of Meta and Microsoft earnings in the US overnight, while the Fed decision could impact companies with large exposure to US credit markets. Infosys jumped 4.5% while Eternal, TCS, and HCL Tech rose over 1.5%. Meanwhile, Larsen and Toubro rose by 2.6% after posting their earnings.

The SENSEX Index gained 867 points or 1.13 percent on Wednesday to close at 77633 points. Gains were led by Hindustan Unilever (4.93%), Infosys (4.43%) and Tata Steel (2.57%).

India’s BSE Sensex rose about 1.0% to 77,538 on Wednesday, recovering losses from the previous session, as technology stocks led the gains ahead of the US Fed Reserve’s policy decision. The benchmark index was led higher by technology stocks, with NewGen (5.3%), KPIT Tech (4.3%), Coforge (4.2%), Infosys (3.9%), and TCS (2.8%) among the notable gainers. Other strong performers across sectors included SHK (14%), Paradeep (12%), and Firstsource Solutions (6.6%). Sentiment was also supported by renewed foreign buying, with foreign institutional investors (FIIs) turning net buyers of approximately INR 7.55 billion in the previous session. Investors also monitored corporate earnings, with Larsen & Toubro remaining in focus after reaffirming its full-year revenue and margin guidance following a strong quarterly performance. However, gains were capped by higher crude oil prices, as rising geopolitical tensions pushed Brent crude higher, posing a potential risk to India as a major oil importer.