Indian equity markets experienced a volatile trading session on Thursday, finishing on a mixed note as benchmark indices moved in divergent directions. The 30-share BSE Sensex managed to post minor gains by the end of trading, while the 50-share NSE Nifty closed in the negative zone for the third straight session. Heavy selling pressure in metal and private banking counters kept the market under strain throughout the day, overriding early momentum. However, buying interest in realty and consumer durable stocks provided crucial support, preventing a deeper market decline. Market sentiment remained cautious as investors weighed mixed sectoral performances.
At the closing bell, the BSE Sensex closed 113.61 points or 0.15 percent higher at 78,079.96. On the other hand, the NSE Nifty dropped 40.10 points to settle at 24,395.85. Overall market breadth remained fairly balanced, with advance and decline numbers almost matching each other. On the Bombay Stock Exchange, 2,088 shares advanced while 2,052 shares declined during the trading session.
Metal and Private Banking Sectors Face Heavy Pressure
In terms of sectoral performance, the Nifty Metal index suffered the most significant drag, declining 1.28 percent to emerge as the day's worst-performing sector. The Private Bank index also witnessed profit-booking, closing 0.5 percent lower due to weakness in major private sector lenders. Additionally, Nifty Pharma fell 0.42 percent and the Nifty PSU Bank index shed 0.58 percent. The combined weakness across these heavyweights exerted continuous downward pressure on the broader Nifty index.
Realty, FMCG, and IT Stocks Offer Market Cushion
Despite the prevailing caution, select sectors offered strong resistance against broader market losses. The Nifty Realty index posted impressive gains, surging 1 percent by the close of trade. Consumer durables also registered healthy traction, rising 0.45 percent. Furthermore, the FMCG, IT, and Media sectors managed to end in the green, helping restrict the overall decline in benchmark indices.
Nifty 50 Top Gainers and Top Losers Breakdown
Among the constituents of the Nifty 50 index, Tata Consumer Products emerged as the top gainer, advancing 2.69 percent. It was closely followed by Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, which gained 1.92 percent. NTPC moved up 1.41 percent, Hindustan Unilever climbed 1.41 percent, and Shriram Finance added 1.35 percent during the session.
Conversely, Hindalco Industries led the losers list, sliding 2.99 percent under severe selling pressure. ICICI Bank dropped 1.74 percent, while UltraTech Cement slipped 1.56 percent. Grasim Industries lost 1.54 percent and SBI Life Insurance ended 0.98 percent lower.
Mixed Trend for Tata Group Shares After Chairman Announcement
Shares of Tata Group companies displayed mixed trading activity for the second consecutive session following Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran's announcement that he will not seek another term after his tenure finishes in February 2027. TCS shares gained 0.35 percent to settle at ₹2,358, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles rose 1.52 percent to ₹348, and Tata Chemicals edged up 0.14 percent to ₹674. On the downside, Titan Company fell 1.18 percent to ₹5,036 and Voltas lost 0.34 percent to close at ₹1,285.
Rupee Weakens Against Dollar as Brent Crude Retains High Levels
Macroeconomic indicators also remained under focus as the Indian Rupee depreciated by 10 paise against the US Dollar during Thursday's trading, reaching 95.43 per dollar. In global commodity markets, Brent crude oil prices dropped approximately 1.70 percent to $87.47 per barrel. Despite the daily drop, crude oil prices remain elevated, maintaining pressure on domestic inflation expectations and trade balance projections.
