Closing Bell: Nifty, Sensex End Flat; Nifty Midcap 100 Hits All-time High

The Nifty 50 and Sensex ended nearly flat on Monday as weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs data eased concerns over near-term rate hikes, while elevated crude oil prices amid continued Middle East uncertainty limited gains.

The Nifty 50 opened at 24,581.25 and remained volatile during the session. It slipped to an Intraday low of 24,511.10 before recovering above 24,600 and touching a high of 24,620.95. However, selling pressure in the final hour pulled the index lower. The Nifty 50 closed at 24,583.80, up 13.15 points or 0.05 per cent. The Sensex gained 43.27 points or 0.06 per cent to end at 78,542.44, while the Bank Nifty declined 0.10 per cent. India VIX remained around the 12 mark.

Brent crude prices rose above USD 84 per barrel for the fourth straight session as uncertainty surrounding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz continued to support oil prices. Iran and Oman have yet to finalise an agreement to reopen the strategic waterway, while mixed signals from Tehran and Washington have added uncertainty over the timing of a possible agreement.

The broader market ended mixed. The Nifty Midcap 100 advanced 0.62 per cent and touched a fresh all-time high, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 declined 0.27 per cent.

Sectoral performance was also mixed, with five of the 11 key sectoral indices ending higher. The Nifty Realty index emerged as the top gainer, rising 1.35 per cent and snapping a two-session losing streak. Brigade Enterprises gained more than 4 per cent. On the other hand, the Nifty PSU Bank index fell 1.67 per cent, ending a three-session winning run, with Bank of India declining more than 2.5 per cent.

Among individual stocks, Oil India gained 2.3 per cent after reporting more than a threefold increase in quarterly profit. Titan Company rose 3 per cent following strong June-quarter profit growth. Ola Electric declined 4.31 per cent as weak sales overshadowed a narrowing quarterly loss.

Power Finance Corporation fell 8.3 per cent after multiple brokerages highlighted weakness in net interest income and concerns over its future growth outlook, despite the company reporting a quarterly profit beat. Hero MotoCorp gained 2.36 per cent, extending its momentum after rising 3.1 per cent on Friday following its June-quarter earnings.

ICICI Bank was the biggest contributor to the Nifty 50's gains, adding 16.88 points to the index, followed by Bajaj Finance with 14.09 points and Titan Company with 13.39 points. State Bank of India was the biggest drag, reducing the index by 23.63 points, followed by Bharti Airtel at 11.48 points and Reliance Industries at 11.06 points.

Market breadth on the NSE remained slightly positive. Of the 3,560 stocks traded, 1,739 advanced, 1,703 declined and 118 remained unchanged. As many as 168 stocks touched their 52-week highs, while 69 hit their 52-week lows. Meanwhile, 120 stocks were locked in the Upper Circuit and 124 stocks hit their Lower Circuits.

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