In a spirited finish to the trading week, Indian stock markets climbed higher after the RBI MPC verdict, led by defensive FMCG heavyweights. The Sensex advanced 266.47 points or 0.32 percent to 83,580.40, with Nifty 50 up 50.90 points or 0.20 percent at 25,693.70.
FMCG took centre stage, with ITC surging 5 percent and HUL adding 2.96 percent. Broader sectoral gains included Nifty FMCG at +2.27 percent, consumer durables +0.96 percent, consumption +0.71 percent, realty +0.63 percent, private banks +0.63 percent, energy +0.61 percent, and oil & gas +0.51 percent.
IT and pharma sectors lagged, with Nifty IT down 1.47 percent, pharma -0.72 percent, defence -0.66 percent, healthcare -0.62 percent, and auto -0.52 percent.
Top Sensex performers were ITC, Kotak Mahindra Bank, HUL, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finance, Power Grid, Bajaj Finserv, Titan, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, M&M, and L&T. Laggards comprised Tech Mahindra, TCS, Asian Paints, Eternal, HCL Tech, HDFC Bank, Infosys, and BEL.
Mid and smallcaps saw profit booking, as Nifty Midcap 100 dipped 0.02 percent to 59,502.70 and Nifty Smallcap 100 fell 0.27 percent to 16,938.65.
SBI Securities’ Sudip Shah observed Nifty’s weak open and intraday low of 25,492, followed by a recovery to 25,694. He pegs immediate resistance between 25,750-25,800, beyond which targets of 26,000 and 26,200 beckon. Support levels are at 25,550-25,500.
Market participants remain vigilant on inflation trends and corporate results, as the RBI’s balanced policy reinforces stability in a volatile global landscape.