Last Updated:
The Nifty settles at 24,168.00, up 82.30 points or 0.34 per cent, while the Sensex rises 254.36 points, or 0.33 per cent, to close at 77,409.98.
Stock Market Today.
Stock Market Today, June 18: Indian equity benchmarks ended higher on Thursday, extending gains for a fifth consecutive session, as easing geopolitical tensions, falling crude oil prices and strength in financial stocks lifted investor sentiment.
The Nifty settled at 24,168.00, up 82.30 points or 0.34 per cent, while the Sensex rose 254.36 points, or 0.33 per cent, to close at 77,409.98. After a volatile start influenced by the US Federal Reserve’s hawkish commentary, markets gradually recovered and witnessed strong buying in the final hour of trade.
Banking Stocks Lead Rally
Financial stocks remained the backbone of the market’s advance. The Nifty Bank index climbed 0.66 per cent to 57,963.80, while Nifty Financial Services gained 0.67 per cent.
Among Sensex constituents, SBI surged 1.64 per cent, HDFC Bank rose 1.49 per cent, NTPC gained 1.86 per cent, Axis Bank added 0.71 per cent and ICICI Bank advanced 0.43 per cent.
The strength in lenders helped offset weakness in information technology stocks and supported benchmark indices throughout the session.
IT Stocks Underperform Despite Market Gains
The technology sector remained under pressure as investors reacted to the Federal Reserve’s cautious stance and higher US bond yields.
The Nifty IT index declined 1.19 per cent, making it the worst-performing sectoral index of the day. Infosys fell 2.66 per cent, Tech Mahindra lost 1.07 per cent, Maruti Suzuki declined 1.04 per cent, while TCS and HCLTech slipped 0.82 per cent and 0.41 per cent, respectively.
Broader Markets Continue Outperformance
Broader market indices once again outpaced benchmark gains, reflecting strong participation across segments.
The Nifty 500 rose 0.42 per cent, Nifty Midcap 100 gained 0.41 per cent and Nifty Smallcap 100 advanced 0.44 per cent. The Nifty Smallcap 250 climbed 0.67 per cent, while the Nifty MidSmallCap 400 ended 0.54 per cent higher.
Market breadth remained favourable, indicating sustained investor interest beyond large-cap stocks.
Healthcare, Realty And PSU Banks Gain
Sectorally, healthcare stocks emerged among the strongest performers. The Nifty Healthcare Index surged 0.98 per cent, while Nifty Pharma gained 0.56 per cent.
Nifty PSU Bank rose 0.66 per cent, Realty advanced 0.69 per cent, Chemicals gained 0.58 per cent and Consumer Durables added 0.43 per cent. Meanwhile, the Nifty Metal index ended nearly flat, while Nifty Oil & Gas closed unchanged. Auto stocks managed marginal gains, rising 0.08 per cent.
Volatility Eases Further
Investor confidence improved as volatility continued to cool. India VIX declined 3.90 per cent to 12.67, reflecting reduced near-term uncertainty and improving risk appetite.
The decline in volatility coincided with easing geopolitical tensions and favourable global commodity trends.
Lower Crude, Stronger Rupee Boost Sentiment
According to Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, Indian equities were supported by improving global risk sentiment following the formal signing of the US-Iran peace deal and continued weakness in crude oil prices.
He said easing geopolitical uncertainty and lower energy costs outweighed concerns arising from the Federal Reserve’s cautious policy outlook. Energy markets extended losses amid expectations of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with international crude prices falling below $74 per barrel and domestic crude futures declining nearly 2.8 per cent.
Ponmudi added that gold and silver prices came under pressure as investors shifted towards risk assets, while the rupee strengthened to the ₹94.3-94.4 range against the US dollar, improving India’s inflation outlook and external-sector dynamics.
Analysts See Cautious Optimism Ahead
Ankur Punj, Managing Director and Business Head at Equirus Wealth, said markets managed to extend their winning streak despite a volatile start to the session.
According to Punj, falling crude oil prices and the recovery in the rupee have helped reverse weak market sentiment. However, he cautioned that foreign institutional investor selling and below-normal monsoon progress could remain key concerns for investors in the medium term.
About the Author
Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalis…Read More
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
