Nifty 50 Up 0.36% at 24,566; Sensex Gains 212 Points, Coal India Jumps Nearly 4%

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.