Stock Market Today Live Update: Equity Indices Settle Higher; Sensex Up 316 Points, Nifty Closes Above 25,570

Indian equities rebounded after yesterday’s sharp correction, led by strong buying in large caps as investors favoured their better risk‑reward over premium‑valued midcaps.

"Sentiment improved on clearer trade‑agreement signals and India’s entry into Pax Silica, which is expected to strengthen supply‑chain security in AI, semiconductors, and critical minerals. Banking and metal stocks drove the recovery, while IT lagged," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited

"Volatility stayed elevated, with the India VIX spiking even as geopolitical tensions still linger. Softer inflation data from Japan supported expectations of accommodative global policy. Structurally, markets remain constructive, though near‑term moves are likely to stay flow‑driven amid global uncertainties, keeping the buy‑on‑dips, sell‑on‑rallies trend intact," Nair added. 

Except for Nifty IT and Nifty Media, all other major sectoral indices settled higher. Nifty Bank, Nifty FMCG and Nifty Auto traded higher. 

The broader market played a key role in lifting the market sentiment. Except for Nifty Smallcap 100, all other broader indices settled higher. 

Banking stocks remained the key puller of the market. 

"PSU banks stood out, with Punjab National Bank and Canara Bank gaining around 7% this week, supported by selective foreign investor interest and an improving profitability outlook. Market breadth improved as most sectors ended in the green, reflecting healthier participation across the board. However, IT stocks continued to remain under pressure amid weak global cues, with added concerns around accelerating AI-led disruption. Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence are raising questions about traditional IT service models, particularly in areas such as coding, testing, and back-office automation. Investors are concerned that increased adoption of generative AI by global clients could reduce demand for conventional outsourcing services or compress pricing power," said Hariprasad K, SEBI-registered Research Analyst.

Top Gainers: NTPC, L&T, Hindustan Unilever, PowerGrid, Tata Steel, Kotak Bank, Bel, and Bajaj Finance were the top gainers from the Sensex basket. 

Top Losers: Tech Mahindra, Eternal, Infosys, Bharti Airtel And HCL Tech were the top losers.

After having a volatile session on the last trading session of the week, the domestic equity indices settled higher on Friday. Sensex closed at 82,814.71, up 316.57 points or 0.38 per cent. Nifty 50 settled at 25,571.25, up 116.90 points or 0.46 per cent.

"Indian equities staged a strong rebound after a volatile start to the session, with broad-based buying lifting sentiment across power, metals, PSU banks, capital goods, FMCG, and financial stocks. The recovery gathered pace through the day as investors stepped in to accumulate quality names at lower levels, reversing early weakness. However, near-term caution continues to linger amid persistent US–Iran geopolitical tensions and mixed global cues," said Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money.

The domestic equity indices were trading significantly higher on the back of a rally in banking, financial services and FMCG stocks. The Sensex was trading at 82,920.61, up 422.47 points or 0.51 per cent, while Nifty50 was trading at ,

The majority of stocks from the Nifty IT index traded lower amid selling pressure despite a broad-based rally in the market. Heavyweights like Tech Mahindra, Coforge, and Infosys dragged.  

Except for the Nifty IT, all the sectoral indices were trading high in the afternoon trade. The rally was backed by value buying. 

The sustained buying in the banking sector--especially in PSU Banks stocks. The shares of public sector banks have been trading higher for the past few sessions amid buying from foreign investors. 

Canara Bank and PNB led the banking sector rally. 

The domestic equity indices are trading significantly higher in the mid-day session as investors turned value buyers. The surge in banking and financial sector stocks backed the rally. The indices were trading lower in the opening hour. 

The equity indices picked up, gaining momentum in the early hours after value buying sentiment erupted in heavyweight stocks. 

The Gold and silver prices trading shlightly higher in early trade on Friday in the domestic futures market. The gold, and silver rates on MCX were up nearly 1%. 

"MCX Gold futures are trading near the ₹1,50,000–₹1,60,000 zone, following consolidation after the sharp correction from all-time highs around ₹1,80,000–₹1,81,000. While prices are currently consolidating in the short term near current levels, the broader uptrend structure remains supportive, with prices holding above important long-term support zones," said Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money.

Market watchers believe that the Indian stock market opened on a flat note, reflecting a cautious undertone.

"Escalating US–Iran geopolitical tensions, rising crude oil prices, a relatively hawkish U.S. Fed outlook, and persistent FII selling pressure are collectively reinforcing risk-off sentiment and keeping investors on the defensive in early trade," said Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money.

"Nifty 50 opened on a flat note around 25,400, reflecting a cautious undertone after recent weakness. Immediate support is placed in the 25,400–25,300 zone; a decisive breakdown below this band could extend the decline toward 25,200–25,100, which coincides with the 200-day EMA area, and potentially lower in case of aggressive selling. On the upside, 25,600 stands as the first resistance, acting as a prior support-turned-hurdle that needs to be reclaimed for stabilization," Ponmudi added.

In early trade, the market sentiment is dragged down by selling in IT stocks, with Nifty IT trading nearly 1 per cent lower.  

The broader market traded slightly higher in the early hours, amid optimism around value buying.  

"Amidst the many crises, the strength of the Indian economy and the recovery in corporate earnings as reflected in Q3 numbers are positives for the market. If, hopefully, the US-Iran standoff gets resolved in the coming days, the market will bounce back. Therefore, investors may wait and watch the unfolding developments in West Asia. Meanwhile, investors who are optimistic about a possible deal can use the current weakness in the market to buy fairly valued high-quality stocks in banking and financials, autos, pharmaceuticals, hotels, leading capital goods and telecom. Crisis have proved to be buying opportunities, in hindsight," said Dr VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited.

Top Gainers: BEL, Titan, NTPC, L&T and PowerGrid were the top gainers in early trade from the Sensex basket. 

Top Losers: Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Eternal, Bharati Airtel were trading lower

In the opening hour, the Sensex and Nifty were trading range-bound. At the time of writing, the indices were quoted in red. 

The equity indices were slightly down on Friday, extending the previous day's losing streak. Sensex opened at 82,272.49, down compared to the last day's closing of 82,498.14. Meanwhile, the Nifty 50 started the session at 25,406.55, down compared to last day's closing of 25,454.35.