India's equity markets finished the session in positive territory on Wednesday, with gains led by stocks in the Capital Goods, Consumer Durables and Oil & Gas sectors.
At the close on the National Stock Exchange, the Nifty 50 increased 0.11%, while the BSE Sensex 30 rose 0.17%.
Top performers on the Nifty 50
- UltraTech Cement Ltd (NSE:ULTC) was the session's strongest performer on the Nifty 50, climbing 2.91% - a rise of 334.00 points - to finish at 11,830.00.
- Eternal Ltd (NSE:ETEA) added 2.80%, an increase of 8.00 points, to close at 294.15.
- HDFC Life Insurance Company Ltd (NSE:HDFL) rose 2.16%, gaining 12.00 points to end the day at 567.20.
Weakest on the Nifty 50
- Hindalco Industries Ltd. (NSE:HALC) fell 2.13%, down 20.80 points to close at 953.50.
- Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (NSE:PGRD) declined 1.96%, slipping 5.60 points to 280.55.
- Tata Steel Ltd (NSE:TISC) lost 1.61%, down 3.03 points to finish at 185.24.
BSE Sensex 30 movers
- On the BSE, UltraTech Cement Ltd (BO:ULTC) posted a 2.96% gain to 11,832.00.
- Eternal Ltd (BO:ETEA) advanced 2.85% to settle at 294.10.
- IndusInd Bank Ltd. (BO:INBK) rose 1.72% to close at 1,014.00.
Decliners on the BSE
- Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (BO:PGRD) eased 1.73% to 280.90.
- Tata Steel Ltd (BO:TISC) dropped 1.59% to 185.35.
- Larsen & Toubro Ltd (BO:LART) fell 1.40% to 3,794.85 at the close.
Market breadth and volatility
Rising shares outnumbered decliners on both major exchanges. On the NSE, 1,351 stocks rose, 1,186 declined and 50 finished unchanged. On the BSE, 2,141 shares advanced, 1,872 fell and 156 were unchanged.
The India VIX, which measures implied volatility for Nifty 50 options, declined 3.49% to 13.27, indicating lower implied near-term volatility in options markets.
Commodities and currencies
Among commodities, Gold Futures for August delivery slipped 0.87% - down $35.25 - to $4,034.45 a troy ounce. Crude oil for delivery in August increased 1.17%, up $0.93, to $80.27 a barrel. The September Brent contract rose 1.20%, gaining $1.02 to trade at $85.75 a barrel.
Currency moves included USD/INR rising 0.32% to 96.51 and EUR/INR edging up 0.03% to 109.89. The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.10% at 100.82.
Closing note
The session was marked by modest index-level gains supported by a handful of sector leaders, while several large-cap names underperformed. Volatility, as measured by the India VIX, eased and commodity prices showed mixed direction, with oil rising and gold retreating. Market breadth favored advancers on both exchanges.