The Indian shares market started the week on a positive note, with the benchmark indices, the BSE Sensex and the NSE Nifty, extending their range-bound trade for the fourth consecutive session. The equity market sustained its positive momentum throughout the day, moving in a narrow range, amid mixed earnings reports and partial profit booking at higher levels, while caution prevailed amid rising geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan.

The BSE Sensex ended 295 points higher at 80,797, after opening 160 points higher at 80,662. During the session, the benchmark index breached the psychological level of 81,000 to touch an intraday high of 81,049.

In a similar trend, the NSE Nifty50 added 114 points, or 0.5%, to settle at 24,461. The 50-share index hit an intraday high at 24,526 after opening at 24,419 level.

Outperforming the benchmark indices, the broader market ended with solid gains, with the BSE midcap the smallcap indices gaining 1.5% and 1.2%, respectively.  

The overall market breadth, too, was positive, with 2,566 stocks advancing out of total traded shares of 4,202. On the other hand, 1,458 stock declined and 178 shares ended unchanged on the BSE.

In the derivatives segment, 196 stocks advanced while 25 declined. Noteworthy open interest build-up was seen in Adani Total Gas (ATGL), Indian Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, State Bank of India (SBIN), and Avenue Supermarts (DMART). Within the Nifty options chain, the highest open interest on the call side was observed at the 24,500 and 26,000 strikes, whereas put side accumulation was noted at the 24,400 and 24,000 levels. The Put-Call Ratio (PCR) stood at 0.82, suggesting a slightly cautious undertone in the near term, Ashika Institutional Equity said in a note.

The market's momentum is moderating, with action shifting from broad-based movements to stock and sector-specific trends based on results, says Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited. “Over the past month, the broad market has recouped more than 50% of the losses incurred during the consolidation period from September 2024 to March 2025. Q4 results to date have been sluggish, and there is a thin layer of caution due to border tensions, which could have a short-term impact on the market."

Top gainers and losers

On the BSE Sensex pack, 20 out of the 30 index heavyweights ended in green, with Adani Ports and SEZ, Bajaj FinServ, M&M, Eternal (Zomato), and ITC emerging as top gainers. Adani Ports topped the chart with 6.3% gains, while others rose in the range of 1.6% to 3.7%.

On the flip side, banking stocks topped the losers’ chart, with Kotak Mahindra Bank, State Bank of India, IndusInd Bank, and Axis Bank falling up to 5% as investors reacted to earnings reports. Among others, Titan, HCL Tech, Nestle India, and Tech Mahindra ended with marginal losses.

Among individual stocks, billionaire Gautam Adani-led all 11 listed Adani Group entities witnessed strong buying on Monday, with heavyweights Adani Ports, Adani Power, and Adani Total Gas rallying up to 14% intraday. The Gujarat-based companies got a boost today amid reports that representatives of Adani Group entities met officials from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to seek dismissal of criminal charges in a bribery probe.

Among sectors, defence, auto and tourism indices gained over 1% whereas selective banking stocks witnessed intraday profit booking at higher levels.

Technical outlook

The Nifty50 and Sensex may find key support at 24,375 and 80,500 levels, while above this mark, the market could move up to 24,600-24,675/81,000-81,300, says Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities. On the other side, dismissal of 24,375/80,500 could trigger a quick intraday correction. Below these, the market could retest the level of 24,300-24,250/80,200-80,000, he adds.

Vatsal Bhuva, Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, opines that the Nifty index continues to trade within a narrow range of 24,200 to 25,500, with firm support at the 24,200–24,250 zone and resistance around 24,500–24,550.

While a decisive breakout above the 24,550 could spark bullish momentum towards 25,000, Monday’s small-bodied candlestick suggests that short-term consolidation may persist, he said.

“The index is holding above its rising 10-day EMA, reflecting a positive near-term trend. With the RSI in a bullish crossover, underlying strength remains intact. The outlook stays bullish as long as Nifty sustains above 24,200, though a strong close above 24,550 is essential for confirmation," he added.

(DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed by investment experts on fortuneindia.com are either their own or of their organisations, but not necessarily that of fortuneindia.com and its editorial team. Readers are advised to consult certified experts before taking investment decisions.)