Nifty 50 Rises 1.17%, Sensex Gains 1.14%; Bank Nifty Above 59,000, India VIX Drops 15%

Market Update at 04:07 PM: India’s benchmark equity indices rebounded sharply on Thursday, March 5, with the Nifty 50 and the Sensex ending in the green, rising 1.17 per cent and 1.14 per cent, respectively. The recovery was driven by gains in Reliance Industries Ltd and supported by a strong global market rally.

The Nifty 50 opened with a gap up and surged above the 24,800 mark, snapping a three-day losing streak. The index recovered more than 400 points from the previous session’s low and maintained momentum through most of the trading day. At close, the Nifty 50 trimmed some gains but still ended higher by 285.40 points, or 1.17 per cent, at 24,765.90, holding above the 24,700 level.

The Sensex advanced 899.71 points, or 1.14 per cent, to settle at 80,015.90. The Bank Nifty finished up by over 300 points at 59,055.85. Meanwhile, the Indian fear gauge, India VIX, cooled 15 per cent to slip below the 18 mark, indicating easing volatility.

Domestic markets mirrored strong overnight gains on Wall Street after reports suggested that Iran signalled openness to talks aimed at ending the conflict. Comments from Donald Trump focused on stabilising oil markets, helping ease investor concerns over energy prices. International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that there is no evidence Iran is building a nuclear bomb, which reduced geopolitical anxiety.

At the Raisina Dialogue, Christopher Landau said that the India-U.S. trade deal is close to the finish line and highlighted prospects for deeper energy cooperation, adding to positive sentiment. Among index heavyweights, Larsen & Toubro emerged as a major contributor alongside Reliance Industries Ltd.

On the sectoral front, 10 out of 11 key indices ended in positive territory. The Nifty Metal index led gains, rising 2.29 per cent, while broader markets also remained firm. The Nifty Midcap index climbed 1.52 per cent and the Nifty Smallcap 100 index gained 1.58 per cent. In contrast, the Nifty IT index was the sole laggard, declining 0.59 per cent.

Shares of BSE Ltd jumped 5.12 per cent after the exchange received approval to launch derivatives on the ‘SENSEX Next 30’ index. Tata Steel rose nearly 2 per cent after announcing plans to invest Rs 11,000 crore in Jharkhand to develop advanced grade steel.

The key drivers of index gains were Reliance Industries Ltd, which contributed 65.77 points, Larsen & Toubro with 40.20 points, and HDFC Bank with 30.53 points. On the downside, ICICI Bank dragged the index by 12.22 points, followed by State Bank of India with 4.54 points and Tech Mahindra with 2.49 points.

As of March 5, 2026, market breadth favoured advancing stocks. Of the 3,336 stocks traded on the NSE, 2,210 advanced, 1,039 declined and 87 remained unchanged. A total of 27 stocks touched their 52-week highs, while 298 hit their 52-week lows. Additionally, 109 stocks were locked in Upper Circuits and 58 were locked in Lower Circuits.

Market Update at 2:26 PM: Indian benchmark indices extended their gains in afternoon trade on Thursday, supported by buying in heavyweights such as Reliance Industries, Larsen & Toubro, and HDFC Bank. Strength in metal, oil and gas counters further boosted sentiment.

As of 2:00 PM, the Nifty50 was trading 0.36 per cent, or 86.20 points, higher at 24,566.95. The Sensex was up 0.24 per cent, or 212.67 points, at 79,338.

Coal India emerged as the second top gainer in the Nifty50 index, rising nearly 4 per cent during the session. The rally came as the U.S.-Iran war pushed up prices of coal used in power generation, prompting renewed investor interest in the stock. 

In the broader markets, the Nifty MidCap index was trading 0.58 per cent higher, while the Nifty Smallcap index gained 0.63 per cent, reflecting continued buying beyond frontline stocks.

On the sectoral front, the Nifty Metal and Nifty Oil and Gas indices were the Top Gainers, tracking strength in global commodity prices. Meanwhile, the Nifty FMCG and Nifty IT indices were trading lower, capping overall gains.

Market Update at 12:27 PM: The Nifty 50 and the Sensex snapped a four-day losing streak on Thursday, tracking a rally in global equities. Positive cues from overseas markets helped lift investor sentiment in domestic equities.

As of 12 PM, the Nifty 50 was trading 0.46 per cent, or 113.05 points, higher at 24,593.55. The Sensex was up 0.29 per cent, or 226.84 points, at 79,343.03.

Coal India emerged as the third top gainer in the Nifty50 index, rising nearly 4 per cent during the session. The stock advanced as the ongoing U.S.-Iran war pushed up prices of coal used in power generation, supporting sentiment around the counter. 

Broader markets outperformed the benchmark indices. The Nifty MidCap index was trading 0.78 per cent higher, while the Nifty SmallCap index gained 0.68 per cent.

On the sectoral front, the Nifty Metal and Nifty Oil and Gas indices were the top gainers. In contrast, the Nifty FMCG and the Nifty IT indices traded in the red.

Market Update at 09:28 AM: The Nifty50 and the Sensex snapped a four-day losing streak on Thursday, supported by a rally in global equities. Buying interest in heavyweights such as Reliance Industries, Larsen & Toubro, and Bajaj Finance lifted the benchmarks in early trade.

As of 9:16 AM, the Nifty50 was trading 0.61 per cent, or 151.80 points, higher at 24,629.85. The Sensex gained 0.62 per cent, or 504.70 points, to trade at 79,626.04.

Global cues remained supportive. Most Asia-Pacific markets advanced in early trade after an overnight recovery in U.S. indices. South Korea’s Kospi surged over 12 per cent, recouping losses from the previous session, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose more than 4 per cent.

Among Sensex constituents, Reliance Industries, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, and Bajaj Finance emerged as the top gainers.

Broader markets outperformed the benchmarks. The Nifty MidCap index rose 1.07 per cent, while the Nifty SmallCap index gained 1.11 per cent.

On the sectoral front, the Nifty Realty index led the gains, followed by the Nifty Oil and Gas and Nifty Auto indices.

Pre-Market Update at 7:50 AM: India’s benchmark indices, the Sensex and Nifty 50, are likely to begin Thursday’s session on a positive note, tracking a strong rally in global markets amid reports of confidential diplomatic efforts by Iran to initiate talks aimed at ending the war.

As of 7:31 am, GIFTY Nifty was trading around the 24,700 level, a premium of nearly 63 points over the previous close of Nifty futures, indicating a firm start for the domestic markets. Asian markets posted sharp gains, while U.S. equities ended higher overnight, led by technology stocks.

Tensions in the Middle East have intensified, with the United States and Israel stepping up coordinated military operations targeting Iranian power assets. U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that an Iranian naval vessel was sunk in international waters, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.

The U.S. dollar paused its recent rally. The dollar index eased to 98.78 against a basket of major currencies, retreating from a more than three-month high touched earlier this week.

China has set its 2026 economic growth target in the range of 4.5 per cent to 5 per cent, slightly lower than last year’s 5 per cent expansion and its most modest growth goal since 1991. The country plans to maintain its budget deficit at around 4 per cent of GDP this year, matching the record level seen in 2025.

Sammaan Capital and SAIL will remain in the F&O ban list for March 5.

On March 4, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers, offloading equities worth Rs 8,752.65 crore. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) were net buyers, purchasing shares worth Rs 12,068.17 crore. FIIs have remained net sellers for the past four consecutive trading sessions.

On Wednesday, Indian markets extended losses as escalating U.S.–Israel clashes with Iran pushed oil prices to a 19-month high, raising concerns of a prolonged conflict. The Sensex fell 1,122.66 points, or 1.40 per cent, to close at 79,116.19, while the Nifty 50 declined 385.20 points, or 1.55 per cent, to settle at 24,480.50.

U.S. equities ended higher on Wednesday, led by technology stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 238.14 points, or 0.49 per cent, to 48,739.41. The S&P 500 advanced 52.87 points, or 0.78 per cent, to close at 6,869.50, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 290.79 points, or 1.29 per cent, ending at 22,807.48. 

Nvidia gained 1.66 per cent, AMD jumped 5.82 per cent, Microsoft added 0.31 per cent, Amazon rallied 3.88 per cent, and Tesla surged 3.44 per cent, while Apple slipped 0.47 per cent. In the energy space, Exxon Mobil declined 1.3 per cent and ConocoPhillips fell 2.42 per cent. Moderna shares soared 16 per cent during the session.

Private sector hiring in the U.S. recorded its strongest growth in seven months in February, according to ADP’s national employment report. Employers added 63,000 jobs during the month, the biggest increase since July 2025, following a downwardly revised gain of 11,000 jobs in January.

Gold prices rose as the dollar weakened and the Middle East war entered its sixth day without signs of resolution. Spot gold gained 0.6 per cent to USD 5,172 per ounce, while silver rose 0.88 per cent to USD 84.27 per ounce. Crude oil prices climbed amid supply concerns, with Brent crude rising 0.63 per cent to USD 82 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gaining 0.88 per cent to USD 75.83 per barrel.

Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.