Equity benchmark indices traded in the positive territory in afternoon trade on Thursday, supported by a rebound in heavyweights such as metal stocks, L&T, Reliance Industries, and a rally in global equities, as risk appetite improved marginally after the West Asia conflict weighed on markets earlier in the week.
Reliance, metal stocks and L&T lift markets.
IT, PSU Bank and FMCG stocks lag.
Midcaps, smallcaps post modest gains.
BSE Sensex, which surged as much as 564 points during the session, 336.76 points or 0.43 per cent to 79,452.95 at 1.43 pm, compared with its previous close of 79,116.19.
The Nifty 50 also advanced 130.20 points or 0.52 per cent to 24,610.70 at the same time, after rising nearly 192 points earlier in the day.
Broader markets mirrored the positive sentiment, with both midcap and smallcap indices trading with modest gains. On the sectoral front, IT stocks declined more than 1 per cent, while PSU banks and FMCG shares also slipped. In contrast, metal, oil and gas, pharma, media and realty stocks rose between 1 and 2.5 per cent.
Hindalco, Coal India, BEL, L&T lead Nifty 50
Among Nifty 50 constituents, Hindalco Industries, Coal India, Bharat Electronics, NTPC and Larsen & Toubro were the top gainers. On the downside, Eternal, HCLTech, Tech Mahindra, Adani Enterprises and State Bank of India were among the major laggards.
In addition, Reliance Industries surged up to 3 per cent in today’s trade.
The market breadth remained positive, with 1,910 stocks advancing against 1,204 declines, while 90 shares remained unchanged out of 3,204 stocks traded on the National Stock Exchange. Around 20 stocks touched their 52-week highs, whereas 258 stocks hit 52-week lows. Meanwhile, 84 stocks were locked in the upper circuit, while 51 stocks hit the lower circuit during the session.
Midcap & smallcap movers
In the midcap segment, National Aluminium, Cochin Shipyard, Blue Star and BSE rallied 4–6 per cent. Meanwhile, Coromandel International, Muthoot Finance, Coforge and Mphasis declined 2–3 per cent.
Among smallcap stocks, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Data Patterns, Navin Fluorine and Natco Pharma surged 5–7 per cent. On the other hand, Aegis Vopak Terminals, Sagility India, Reliance Power and IKS Health fell between 3 and 6 per cent.
Published on March 5, 2026