Closing Bell: Sensex Rebounds 905 Points, Nifty 50 Crosses 22,900; Realty Stocks Lead Gains

Market Update at 04:00 PM: Indian benchmark equity indices, the Sensex and Nifty 50, staged a strong recovery on Thursday, October 29, 2026, rebounding from the previous session's losses. The Sensex settled at 74,151.04, gaining 905.01 points, or 1.24 per cent, while the Nifty 50 advanced 237.90 points, or 1.05 per cent, to close at 22,936.75. Buying interest in Banking, power and select heavyweight stocks supported market sentiment. The recovery followed Wednesday's decline, when the Sensex lost 352.64 points and the Nifty 50 slipped below 22,700.

The U.S. Federal Reserve maintained its benchmark interest rate at 3.75 per cent to 4 per cent, in line with market expectations. The central bank acknowledged persistent inflationary pressures, indicating that future policy decisions would depend on incoming economic data. The decision provided some relief to equity markets, although elevated U.S. Treasury yields continued to pose challenges for emerging markets, including India, as higher American bond yields can influence foreign institutional investment flows.

Brent crude oil prices eased approximately 1.4 per cent on Thursday, trading around USD 114 per barrel. However, prices remained elevated amid concerns about potential supply disruptions in the Middle East, keeping oil prices a key concern for investors.

The recovery extended to broader markets, with Mid-Cap and Small-Cap stocks also participating in the rally. At the close, the mid-cap and small-cap indices advanced approximately 0.99 per cent and 0.95 per cent, respectively, indicating broad-based buying interest.

Among sectoral indices, the Nifty Realty index surged 2.75 per cent, emerging as the top gainer. The Nifty FMCG index rose approximately 2.34 per cent, supported by United Spirits, Radico Khaitan, Marico, Hindustan Unilever and ITC. Power stocks attracted buying interest, with Power Grid Corporation advancing around 1.01 per cent. Banking stocks contributed to the recovery, led by Kotak Mahindra Bank, which gained approximately 4.32 per cent. The IT sector also recovered from Wednesday's sharp losses, with technology shares closing higher. In contrast, the Nifty Auto index was the sole sectoral loser, declining 0.24 per cent.

Among individual stocks, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone surged 6.29 per cent following its quarterly earnings announcement and an upward revision in operating profit guidance. Adani Enterprises gained approximately 5.17 per cent, reflecting strong buying interest across Adani Group stocks. Hyundai Motor India advanced over 2.95 per cent in early trading, supported by its quarterly performance and optimism surrounding product launches and exports. Birlasoft surged over 11.61 per cent in early trading after reporting a 37.5 per cent year-on-year increase in quarterly net profit to Rs 160 crore.

In terms of Nifty 50 index contribution, Kotak Mahindra Bank was the leading positive contributor, adding 30.64 points. Adani Ports contributed 18.94 points, while Eternal added 18.84 points. On the downside, HDFC Bank weighed on the index by 6.71 points, followed by Maruti Suzuki, which subtracted 4.36 points, and Trent, which dragged the index down by 3.81 points.

Market breadth remained positive on Thursday, with advancing stocks outnumbering declining stocks. Of the 3,693 stocks traded, 2,196 advanced, 1,387 declined and 110 remained unchanged. A total of 54 stocks touched their 52-week highs, compared with 117 stocks hitting 52-week lows. Additionally, 140 stocks reached their Upper Circuit limits, while 69 stocks hit Lower Circuits during the session.

Market Update at 02:30 PM: The benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty 50 traded higher on Thursday, supported by gains in FMCG and PSU bank stocks. As of 2:14 PM on October 29, 2026, the BSE Sensex was up 704.78 points, or 0.96 per cent, at 73,950.81. The Nifty 50 advanced 193.85 points, or 0.85 per cent, to 22,892.70.

Among sectoral indices, the Nifty FMCG index led the gains, rising 1.6 per cent, followed by the Nifty PSU Bank index, which advanced 1.3 per cent. However, the Nifty Auto index bucked the positive trend, slipping 0.40 per cent.

The broader markets also traded in positive territory, with the Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices gaining more than 0.40 per cent each.

Market Update at 12:25 PM: The benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty 50 traded higher on Thursday, supported by gains in FMCG and PSU bank stocks. As of 12:10 PM, the Sensex was up 608 points, or 0.83 per cent, at 73,854, while the Nifty 50 advanced 163 points, or 0.72 per cent, to 22,862.

Among sectoral indices, the Nifty FMCG index led the gains, rising 1.6 per cent, followed by the Nifty PSU Bank index, which advanced 1.3 per cent. However, the Nifty Auto index bucked the positive trend, slipping 0.40 per cent.

The broader markets also traded in positive territory, with the Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices gaining more than 0.40 per cent each.

Market Update at 09:30 AM: Both benchmark indices began the trading session on a muted note but later moved into positive territory. The BSE Sensex opened at 73,268.47 before climbing to an Intraday high of 73,373.84, gaining 0.17 per cent. The Nifty 50 also advanced to an intraday high of 22,725.2, rising 0.15 per cent.

At 9:19 AM, the Sensex rose 92 points, or 0.13 per cent, to trade at 73,337. Meanwhile, the Nifty 50 jumped 25 points, or 0.11 per cent, at the opening to trade at 22,723, crossing the 22,700 mark.

Among the sectoral indices, the Nifty IT and Nifty Media indices led the gains, rising more than 0.9 per cent each at 9:27 AM. However, the Nifty Auto index declined 0.44 per cent.

From the Sensex constituents, Adani Ports surged more than 2 per cent at 9:25 AM, emerging as the top gainer. TCS, Airtel, Power Grid and HCL Tech also traded among the leading gainers. On the other hand, Trent, Maruti, HDFC Bank and Bajaj Finserv were the top laggards.

Pre-Market Update at 7:40 AM: GIFT Nifty indicated a positive start for domestic equities on October 29, 2026. At 22,792 at 7:01 AM IST, it was 93.15 points, or 0.41 per cent, above the previous Nifty 50 close of 22,698.85. The indication follows a mildly weaker domestic session, while overnight U.S. equities closed higher and Asian markets traded broadly firm. Crude oil prices eased marginally but remained above USD 100 per barrel, a key consideration for India as a major oil importer.

Wall Street ended modestly higher in the previous session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.19 per cent to 52,475.10, while the S&P 500 gained 0.28 per cent to close at 7,743.98. The Nasdaq advanced 0.27 per cent to 26,549.85.

Asian equities were largely positive in early trade. Japan’s Nikkei rose 1.10 per cent, while the Shanghai Composite gained 0.91 per cent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was up 0.23 per cent, indicating broadly constructive regional market cues. European markets recorded a mixed-to-positive close, with Germany’s DAX rising 0.44 per cent and the FTSE 100 adding 0.07 per cent, while France’s CAC 40 remained largely unchanged.

Brent crude was trading at USD 114.40 per barrel as of 7:02 AM IST, down 0.86 per cent. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude eased 0.98 per cent to USD 101.83 per barrel. While the marginal decline may offer some relief, elevated crude prices remain relevant for India’s import bill and could keep oil marketing companies, aviation firms and other fuel-intensive businesses in focus.

In precious metals, gold slipped 0.14 per cent to USD 4,061.58, while silver edged up 0.13 per cent to USD 54.05. The Dollar Index was marginally lower at 102.16, down 0.04 per cent. The Indian rupee was trading around Rs 95.21 per USD, unchanged from its previous level.

The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield declined by 0.018 percentage points to 5.003 per cent. Movements in U.S. bond yields remain relevant for global risk appetite and equity valuations, as investors assess their potential implications for financial conditions and market sentiment.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers of Indian equities worth Rs 871.83 crore on October 28. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) also remained net buyers, purchasing equities worth Rs 643.35 crore. Simultaneous buying by foreign and domestic institutions provides a supportive recent flow backdrop, although activity in a single session does not establish a sustained trend.

In the previous session on October 28, the Nifty 50 closed at 22,698.85, down 50.90 points or 0.22 per cent. The index moved between an intraday low of 22,497.70 and a high of 22,778.05. The BSE Sensex declined 352.64 points, or 0.48 per cent, to settle at 73,246.03, after touching an intraday high of 73,525.44 and a low of 72,603.57. India VIX eased 0.98 per cent to 16.24, indicating relatively contained volatility expectations compared with the preceding session.

The domestic market’s opening setup on October 29 will be shaped by GIFT Nifty’s positive indication, firm Asian equity markets and the gains recorded on Wall Street. However, crude oil prices above USD 100 per barrel, the rupee’s level near Rs 95.21 per USD and movements in U.S. Treasury yields are likely to remain key factors for investors through the session.

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

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