Synopsis : Indian markets closed in positive territory on June 18 as gains in aviation, banking, defence and power stocks offset weakness in IT shares. IndiGo, Trent, NTPC and BEL led the advance while Infosys remained the biggest drag.
Indian benchmark indices ended Thursday’s session on a positive note despite continued weakness in information technology stocks.
The Nifty 50 rose 82.30 points, or 0.34%, to close at 24,168, while the BSE Sensex advanced 254.36 points, or 0.33%, to settle at 77,409.98.
The gains were supported by strength across aviation, defence, banking and power stocks, while technology counters weighed on broader market sentiment.
IndiGo emerges as top gainer
Shares of InterGlobe Aviation climbed 2.8% to become one of the best-performing stocks in the Nifty 50.
The aviation major continued to attract investor interest amid expectations of sustained travel demand and improving industry fundamentals.
Trent extends rally
Retail major Trent Limited gained 2.6% during the session.
The stock has remained in focus as investors continue to bet on strong growth across its fashion and retail formats.
NTPC and BEL see strong buying
Power sector heavyweight NTPC Limited added around 2%.
Meanwhile, defence electronics manufacturer Bharat Electronics Limited gained 1.9% as investor interest in defence-related stocks remained strong.
The broader defence and aerospace segment continued to outperform the market following recent order announcements and sector tailwinds.
HDFC Bank supports benchmark gains
Private sector banking giant HDFC Bank rose nearly 2%, providing significant support to the benchmark indices.
Banking stocks remained resilient despite mixed global cues and concerns around future interest rate trajectories.
IT stocks remain under pressure
Technology stocks were among the weakest performers of the day.
Shares of Infosys Limited declined 2.6%, making it the biggest drag on the Nifty 50.
Tech Mahindra also fell more than 1%, while weakness persisted across several large-cap IT names.
The sector remained under pressure following concerns about global technology spending and evolving interest rate expectations in the United States.
Global cues remain supportive
Investor sentiment was aided by positive global developments.
Markets reacted favourably after reports of a US-Iran peace agreement and continued stability in crude oil prices, with Brent crude remaining below the psychologically important $80 per barrel mark.
Asian markets traded largely higher, while US futures also indicated a positive undertone.
Institutional activity remains supportive
Domestic institutional investors continued to provide support to the market.
According to provisional data:
- Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers worth ₹1,561.40 crore.
- Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers worth ₹101.59 crore.
The strong domestic flows helped offset foreign selling pressure and supported broader market stability.
Sectoral trends
Among the strongest-performing themes during the trading session were:
- Defence and aerospace
- Space-related companies
- Shipbuilding stocks
- Retail sector companies
- Electrical equipment manufacturers
The continued outperformance of these sectors reflects investor preference for domestic growth and capital expenditure-linked themes.
Conclusion
Indian markets ended higher despite weakness in information technology stocks, supported by gains in aviation, banking, power and defence counters. Strong domestic institutional buying, positive global cues and sustained interest in capital expenditure and defence themes helped benchmarks close above key levels.
Going forward, investors will continue to track global interest rate expectations, crude oil prices, institutional flows and corporate earnings commentary for further market direction.
Disclaimer: The information provided above is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Investors should conduct their own research and consult a SEBI-registered financial advisor before making investment decisions.
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