The SENSEX Index Closes 0.45% Higher

India’s BSE Sensex closed about 0.5% up at 74,336.45 on Wednesday, recovering from a two-day slide, amid some relief from easing oil prices despite elevated geopolitical uncertainty. Meanwhile, caution prevailed amid continued foreign fund outflows and ahead of the Fed’s decision, with the expected 25 bps rate hike putting pressure on Indian assets. Gains were led by banks and payment firms after the government announced the introduction of the first-ever Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on certain UPI transactions. State-owned SBI (2.2%), Axis Bank (1.9%), Kotak Mahindra Bank (1.3%), HDFC Bank (0.8%) and ICICI Bank (0.5%) all advanced. FMCG stocks and other heavyweight stocks also gained. ITC climbed 2.5% following reports that the diversified conglomerate had raised cigarette prices again, a key earnings driver for the company. On the flip side, TCS (-2.6%), Infosys (-1.4%), Tech Mahindra (-1.3%), Bajaj Finserv (-1%) and NTPC (-0.9%) posted the biggest losses.

The SENSEX Index gained 333 points or 0.45 percent on Wednesday to close at 74336 points. Gains were led by ITC (2.62%), Axis Bank (1.71%) and Nestle India (1.63%). Biggest losers were Tata Consultancy (-3.02%), Infosys (-1.80%) and Tech Mahindra (-1.77%).

India’s BSE Sensex rose about 0.5% to 74,348 on Wednesday, rebounding from a selloff in the previous session as domestic equities found some support, although elevated oil prices, a weaker rupee, and uncertainty ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s policy decision kept investors cautious. Brent crude trading around $108 a barrel following disruptions in Saudi Arabia that kept prices elevated. Investors await the Fed’s decision, with higher rates potentially boosting the dollar and yields while weighing on Indian equities. Among stocks, Paytm and Pine Labs could gain after the National Payments Corporation of India introduced a 0.4% merchant discount rate on select person-to-merchant transactions above 2,000 rupees, effective Oct. 15. Three IPOs, Hero Motors, SS Retail, and Jindal Supreme India, also opened for subscription on Wednesday, adding to primary market activity amid a fresh influx of equity supply. Notable gainers included Paytm (1.5%), eMudhra (11.4%), and Reliance (1.3%).