Indian equity benchmark indices registered a strong performance at the opening bell on Thursday, 20 August 2026, tracking favorable cues from global markets. Investor sentiment received a significant boost from robust overseas signals, sparking widespread buying activity across key sectors right from the start of the trading session. In early trade, the BSE Sensex spiked nearly 545 points, while the NSE Nifty successfully breached the 24,200 threshold, propelled by gains in major equities including Infosys.
Key Benchmark Numbers and Index Movements
During the initial trading hours on 20 August 2026, the 30-share BSE Sensex advanced by 545.29 points to touch an intra-day level of 77,454.97. Concurrently, the broader NSE Nifty rose by 134.80 points to trade at 24,213.10. Market breadth remained decisively in favor of advances. A total of approximately 1,402 stocks traded in the green during early morning deals, whereas 544 shares experienced declines. Meanwhile, 145 stocks remained virtually unchanged with no significant price movement.
Sectoral Trends and Stock Performance
The market rally was broad-based, with strong momentum visible across multiple sectoral indices. Heavy buying interest was concentrated in IT, banking, and FMCG stocks, which provided substantial upward leverage to the benchmark indices. Major market heavyweights, including IT leader Infosys, performed strongly alongside other key corporate names. The positive start reflected sustained buying confidence supported by global tailwinds following recent trading sessions.
