Pharma, banking shares drive indices higher for 2nd session

The up move was supported by a blend of domestic and global factors. Investor sentiment received a boost from TCS’s AI infrastructure expansion and the continued strength in banking majors - Ajit Mishra – SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd

Mumbai: Rising for the second consecutive day, benchmark Sensex rose by nearly 329 points on Friday following strong gains in pharmaceutical and banking shares and foreign fund inflows.

The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 328.72 points or 0.40 per cent to close at 82,500.82 with 22 of its constituents closing higher and eight with losses. In day trade, the index jumped by 482.01 points or 0.58 per cent to hit an intraday high of 82,654.11. The 50-share NSE Nifty advanced by 103.55 points or 0.41 per cent to settle at 25,285.35. In the intraday session, it rose 148.95 points or 0.59 per cent to hit a high of 25,330.75.

Easing geopolitical tensions as Israel and Hamas agreed on the first stage of a ceasefire plan and signs of progress in a potential India-US deal also boosted investor sentiment. Among the Sensex firms, State Bank of India was the biggest gainer, rising by 2.16 per cent. In an unusual move, the government has opened top management positions in public sector banks, including SBI, for the private sector candidates. Out of four positions of Managing Director in SBI, one position has been opened for private sector candidates and persons working in public sector financial institutions.

Maruti Suzuki India, Axis Bank, NTPC, BEL, Adani Ports, Eternal, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Power Grid, ITC, UltraTech Cement, Trent, HCL Technologies, Mahindra & Mahindra, and HDFC Bank were among the gainers. On the other hand, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, Titan, Bajaj Finserv, Tata Motors, Bharti Airtel and Bajaj Finance were among the laggards. Tata Consultancy Services dropped 1.10 per cent after its September quarter results. TCS also announced the launch of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Experience Zone and Design Studio in London.

“Indian equities closed higher, led by strong gains in banking and pharmaceutical stocks. Investor sentiment improved after the government invited private sector professionals to lead State Bank of India,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments said. Pharma stocks rallied as the US revived the Biosecure Act, aiming to cut biotech ties with flagged foreign firms, especially from China, providing a strong boost to Indian CDMOs, Nair added.

Realty, pharma, and banking shares led the advance, while metal and IT shares closed lower. Among sectoral indices, realty jumped 1.72 per cent, telecommunication by 1.13 per cent, healthcare by 0.99 per cent, Utilities by 0.98 per cent, Bankex by 0.97 per cent, Consumer Durables by 0.71 per cent, Power by 0.70 per cent and Services by 0.66 per cent.