Stock Market Closing Bell: Benchmark indices extended their winning streak to a second straight session on Friday, supported by a firm global market rally and strong buying in metal counters. Sentiment was also buoyed by optimism around the India–US trade talks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s conversation with US President Donald Trump on Thursday, where both leaders discussed strengthening economic ties.
The BSE Sensex closed at 85,267.66, up 449.53 points or 0.53 per cent, while the Nifty50 settled at 26,046.95, gaining 148.40 points or 0.57 per cent.
Metal stocks lead gains; Tata Steel, Eternal, UltraTech among top performers
Tata Steel, Eternal, UltraTech Cement, L&T, Maruti Suzuki, Bharti Airtel, Adani Ports, Axis Bank and Bajaj Finance were among the top gainers on the Nifty, with metals and cyclicals driving the day’s upmove.
Defensives under pressure; FMCG and pharma slip on profit booking
HUL, Sun Pharma, Asian Paints, ITC, Power Grid and HCL Tech witnessed selling pressure as investors booked profits in defensives, keeping index gains in check.
Broader markets outperform frontline indices
Broader market sentiment remained upbeat, with the Nifty MidCap index rising 1.18 per cent and the Nifty SmallCap index advancing 0.94 per cent, both outperforming the benchmark indices.
Sector check: Metal index outshines
The Nifty Metal index surged 2.63 per cent, emerging as the day’s best-performing sector. This was followed by gains in Nifty Realty (up 1.53 per cent), Nifty Consumer Durables (1.46 per cent) and Nifty Oil & Gas (1.11 per cent). Meanwhile, Nifty FMCG and Nifty Media ended in the red.
Silver prices breach Rs 2 lakh per kg mark
In commodities, silver futures in India crossed the historic Rs 2 lakh-per-kg mark on Friday, extending a stellar rally that has seen the metal surge nearly 130 per cent this year. The sharp upmove comes on the back of strong global cues and firm investment demand.