Synopsis : Indian markets climbed on renewed optimism over a potential India-US trade deal ahead of the July 9 tariff deadline. A 10-year strategic defence pact further buoyed investor sentiment, boosting defence and auto stocks.
Indian equity markets advanced in Wednesday’s trade, with both benchmark indices showing healthy gains as geopolitical and trade-related optimism lifted sentiment. The BSE Sensex rose 361 points to 83,770.77, while the NSE Nifty 50 climbed 105 points to 25,558.30, driven by strength in auto, metal, and IT stocks.
Investor confidence was bolstered by reports that India and the US may finalize a trade agreement soon, avoiding the imposition of new tariffs by President Donald Trump from July 9. Additionally, news of a 10-year strategic defence partnership between the two countries pushed defence sector stocks higher.
Top Gainers:
Leading the charge were Asian Paints, Infosys, ICICI Bank, M&M, HDFC Bank, Tata Steel, and Sun Pharma, each registering notable gains.
HDB Financial Services saw its shares jump 4%, continuing momentum after its market debut a day earlier.
Notable Laggards:
Stocks like Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Trent, BEL, and Titan were under pressure, despite broader market positivity.
Sector Performance:
Top Gainer: Nifty Auto (+1%)
Other Gainers: Nifty Metal (+0.55%), Nifty IT (+0.47%)
Top Loser: Nifty PSU Bank (-0.4%)
The Nifty MidCap and SmallCap indices were also in the green, up 0.39% and 0.46%, respectively.
Stocks in Focus:
Avenue Supermarts (D-Mart) dropped 3% after its Q1FY26 revenue update showed slower-than-expected growth.
Nykaa (FSN E-Commerce) plunged 4% after large block deals involving 64 million shares, with reports pointing to stake sales by pre-IPO investors.
Punjab National Bank (PNB) fell 1% despite reporting strong growth in deposits and domestic business for Q1FY26.
Global Outlook:
Sentiment is closely tied to progress on India-US trade talks and upcoming US tariff deadlines. Markets are expected to remain volatile as investors await official policy decisions.
Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investors are advised to consult a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Market conditions and figures may change over time.
