Closing bell: Sensex up by 224 points, Nifty at 24,894.25; Tata Steel leads, Max Healthcare as top laggard

The Indian benchmark indices rebounded to close the last day of the week’s session on a positive note. The comeback was supported by gains in metal stocks, as weakened dollar, stable base metal priced and RBI’s positive domestic outlook, fuelled by rising demand due to festive season drove the rally.

The BSE Sensex was up by 224 points or 0.28% at 81,207.17, and the NSE Nifty50 was up 57.95 points or 0.23% at 24,894.25.

Tata Steel emerged as a top performer in today’s trade, as it rose by 3.45%, with its shares closing at Rs173.29. It was followed by Power Grid Cooperation of India, which advanced by 2.85%, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Axis Bank too joined the top five spot, by rising more than 2%. Larsen and Toubro took the fifth spot, adding nearly 2% to its previous closing.

On the other hand, Max Healthcare was a steady laggard throughout the day, dwindling sharply by 3.88%. Meanwhile, Tech Mahindra, Eicher Motors, and Coal India dropped between 1.15% to 1.30%.

Amongst sector-wise indices, Nifty metal emerged as a top performer, rising by 1.82%, with Lloyds Metal and Energy jumping more than 6.5% in today’s trade. Other sectors that performed well were Nifty Consumer Durables and Nifty PSU Bank, rising by more than a percent each.

Nifty Auto, Nifty Realty and Nifty Healthcare declined marginally, as investors booked profits after these sectors clocked gains in the week.

Broader markets reflected similar positive sentiments as seen in the benchmark indices, with Nifty Midcap50 and Nifty Smallcap50 advancing between 0.50% and 0.75%. India VIX cooled off from morning highs by 2.21%, at 10.06.

Out of the 2185 stocks traded on the NSE today, 2140 advanced, 960 declined and 85 remained unchanged. On the BSE 4339 stocks were traded, out of which 2636 stocks advanced and 1568 stocks declined, while 135 remained unchanged.

Investors are going to keep a close eye on Q2FY2026 results which would be declared in the current month, while also look forward to developments in the India-US trade deal.