Indian share indices ended the trading session on Thursday with modest gains, led by strength in technology, real estate and IT segments.
On the National Stock Exchange, the Nifty 50 finished 0.15% higher. The BSE Sensex 30 likewise closed with a gain of 0.25%.
Among Nifty constituents, HCL Technologies Ltd (NSE:HCLT) was the session leader, advancing 2.92% - a rise of 39.50 points - to close at 1,393.90. Tech Mahindra Ltd (NSE:TEML) climbed 2.26%, adding 31.70 points to finish at 1,436.20. Tata Consumer Products Ltd (NSE:TACN) also outperformed peers, rising 2.06% or 21.10 points to end the day at 1,044.90.
Not all large-cap names participated in the rally. Asian Paints Ltd. (NSE:ASPN) was the biggest decliner on the Nifty, slipping 2.49% or 55.40 points to close at 2,170.40. Eicher Motors Ltd. (NSE:EICH) fell 2.42%, down 165.50 points to 6,660.00. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NSE:SUN) dropped 2.11%, a decline of 36.50 points to finish at 1,692.00.
On the BSE, the session also featured notable movers. HCL Technologies Ltd (BO:HCLT) rose 2.93% to 1,394.50 and Tech Mahindra Ltd (BO:TEML) gained 2.51% to settle at 1,439.30. Infosys Ltd (BO:INFY) added 1.78%, closing at 1,298.95. At the lower end of the index, Asian Paints Ltd. (BO:ASPN) lost 2.35% to 2,171.70. Eternal Ltd (BO:ETEA) retreated 1.94% to 232.10 and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (BO:SUN) was down 1.70% at 1,699.10 at the close.
Market breadth on the India National Stock Exchange was positive, with 1,673 stocks advancing and 867 declining; 34 issues ended unchanged. On the Bombay Stock Exchange, 2,548 stocks rose, 1,430 declined and 141 were unchanged. The India VIX, which measures implied volatility for Nifty 50 options, increased 1.45% to 25.37.
Commodities showed divergent moves. Gold futures for June delivery fell 3.51%, down 169.01 to $4,644.09 a troy ounce. Crude oil contracts climbed sharply - May delivery crude oil rose 8.05% or $8.06 to $108.18 a barrel, while the June Brent contract increased 7.45% or $7.54 to trade at $108.70 a barrel.
Currency markets moved modestly. The USD/INR rate eased 0.07% to 93.14. EUR/INR declined 0.72% to 107.29. The US Dollar Index Futures were higher, up 0.57% at 100.02.
Summary of session dynamics - technology and IT-related names were among the day's strongest performers, supporting benchmark gains, while consumer discretionary and auto-related issues represented the largest individual losers. Broad positive breadth accompanied an uptick in implied volatility, and commodity price swings were notable for sharp oil gains and a significant drop in gold futures.