Sensex Gains 618 Points, Nifty 50 Crosses 22,550; IT Stocks Lead Sectoral Gains

Market Update at 2:30 PM: The Sensex and the Nifty 50 traded higher amid negative global cues. As of 2:00 PM, the Sensex rose 618.40 points, or 0.86 per cent, to 72,543.08, while the Nifty 50 gained 188.15 points, or 0.84 per cent, to 22,551.50.

HCL Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Tech Mahindra were the Top Gainers in the Nifty 50 index.

In the broader markets, the Nifty Midcap index advanced 0.33 per cent, while the Nifty SmallCap index declined 0.69 per cent.

Among sectors, the Nifty IT index emerged as the top gainer, while the Nifty Media and Nifty Pharma indices recorded the steepest declines.

Market Update at 1:10 PM: The Nifty 50 and the Sensex continued to trade higher despite weak global cues, supported by strong buying in IT stocks.

Around 1:00 PM, the Sensex was trading with gains of nearly 600 points, while the Nifty50 remained above the 22,500 mark. 

HCL Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Tech Mahindra were among the leading gainers in the Nifty50 index.

In the broader markets, performance remained mixed, with the Nifty Midcap trading marginally higher while the Nifty SmallCap remained under pressure.

Sector-wise, the Nifty IT led the gains, supported by positive quarterly earnings, while the Nifty Media and Nifty Pharma indices remained among the major laggards.

Market Update at 11:15 AM: Indian benchmark equity indices, the Sensex and Nifty 50, extended their gains on Tuesday, October 13, despite negative global cues. As of 11:00 AM, the Sensex rose 492 points, or 0.68 per cent, to 72,416.33, while the Nifty 50 gained 156.65 points, or 0.70 per cent, to 22,520.00.

HCL Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Tech Mahindra were the top gainers in the Nifty 50 index, supported by strength in IT stocks.

In the broader markets, the Nifty Midcap index advanced 0.33 per cent, while the Nifty Smallcap index declined 0.69 per cent, indicating mixed trends across market segments.

Sectorally, the Nifty IT index recorded the strongest gains, while the Nifty Media and Nifty Pharma indices witnessed the steepest declines among sectoral indices.

Market Update at 09:30 AM: Indian benchmark equity indices, the Sensex and Nifty 50, edged higher in early trade on Tuesday, October 13, despite negative global cues. As of 9:21 AM, the Sensex rose 211.97 points, or 0.29 per cent, to 72,136.65, while the Nifty 50 gained 63 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 22,426.35.

HCL Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Tech Mahindra emerged as the top gainers in the Nifty 50 index, supporting the benchmarks during the early session.

Investors will track the September-quarter earnings announcements scheduled for the day. Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers, GTPL Hathway, Hero Motors, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, and Transformers and Rectifiers (India) are set to release their Q2 results.

Primary market activity is also in focus, with two initial public offerings (IPOs) opening for subscription on Tuesday. HD Fire Protect's IPO aims to raise Rs 712.31 crore from the primary market. Vaibhav Vyapaar's IPO is also opening for bidding, with the company seeking to raise Rs 42.10 crore.

Pre-Market Update at 7:40 AM: GIFT Nifty at 22,418, up 54.65 points from the previous Nifty 50 close, indicated a mildly positive start for domestic equities on October 13. The indication was recorded at 6:59 AM IST.

The positive opening cue follows a weak domestic session on October 12, when the Nifty 50 fell 157.10 points, or 0.70 per cent, to close at 22,363.35. The Sensex declined 547.65 points, or 0.76 per cent, to 71,924.68. Elevated crude oil prices, fresh Strait of Hormuz shipping risks and higher September inflation are likely to remain on investors' radar.

Oil-supply concerns intensified after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said at least three oil tankers had been hit in the Strait of Hormuz over two days. The UK Maritime Trade Operations separately reported incidents involving a crude tanker and a container vessel on Monday.

Disruptions along this critical oil and gas shipping route could sustain a geopolitical risk premium in crude oil and freight costs. This remains relevant for India's oil import bill and could keep oil marketing companies, airlines, paints, chemicals, Logistics firms and upstream energy producers in focus.

India's retail inflation rose to 5.54 per cent in September from 4.83 per cent in August, while food inflation accelerated to 7.74 per cent from 5.97 per cent. The headline inflation reading is above the Reserve Bank of India's 4 per cent target, bringing food-led price pressures and the policy-rate outlook into focus. Banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), consumer companies and other rate-sensitive sectors may be watched following the latest inflation data.

Primary market activity also picks up on October 13, with three initial public offerings (IPOs) — HD Fire Protect, Ravita Engineering Services and Vaibhav Vyapaar — opening for subscription.

HD Fire Protect's Rs 712.31-crore issue is priced at Rs 258-271 per share. Ravita Engineering Services' Rs 116.05-crore issue is priced at Rs 105-112 per share, while Vaibhav Vyapaar's issue is priced at Rs 52 per share. The offerings will test primary-market appetite amid volatility in secondary equities and may absorb some investor liquidity.

U.S. markets closed mixed in the previous session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.38 per cent to 51,850.55, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.06 per cent to 7,807.24 and the Nasdaq declined 0.44 per cent to 27,245.90.

Asian markets were also mixed in early trade. Japan's Nikkei fell 2.27 per cent, while the Shanghai Composite declined 0.43 per cent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.25 per cent. European equities had closed higher, with the FTSE 100 gaining 0.99 per cent, the DAX advancing 0.76 per cent and the CAC 40 rising 0.38 per cent.

Brent crude traded at USD 105.60 per barrel, down 0.48 per cent, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude stood at USD 93.91 per barrel, down 0.51 per cent, as of 7:00 AM IST. Despite the modest decline, Brent remained above USD 100 per barrel.

Sustained elevated oil prices are relevant for India's imported inflation, current account and currency outlook. Oil-consuming sectors such as aviation, logistics, chemicals, paints and tyres could remain sensitive to crude price movements, while upstream producers may also attract investor attention.

Gold declined 0.34 per cent to USD 4,157.08, while silver fell 0.84 per cent to USD 59.76. The U.S. Dollar Index eased 0.13 per cent to 102.46. The rupee traded around Rs 95.76 per USD, unchanged from the previous level.

The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield declined by 2.3 basis points to 5.214 per cent. Movements in U.S. bond yields remain relevant to global risk appetite, capital flows and equity valuations.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers of Indian equities worth Rs 1,708.48 crore on October 12. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers to the tune of Rs 3,045.02 crore. The contrasting flows highlighted continued domestic institutional absorption of foreign selling. However, one-day flow data alone does not establish the likely direction of the broader market.

In the previous session, the Nifty 50 closed at 22,363.35, down 157.10 points, or 0.70 per cent. During the session, the index moved between 22,304.45 and 22,651.10. The Sensex finished at 71,924.68, lower by 547.65 points, or 0.76 per cent, after touching an Intraday high of 72,884.25 and a low of 71,676.10.

India VIX rose 6.05 per cent to 15.25, indicating higher expected volatility. However, the VIX movement alone does not indicate the direction of the market.

HCL Technologies reported an 11 per cent sequential rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 5,132 crore for Q2 FY27. Revenue from operations increased 3 per cent quarter-on-quarter to Rs 35,620 crore. The board declared an interim Dividend of Rs 12 per equity share. The earnings update provides a fresh trigger for the company and the broader IT services sector.

ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company reported a 6.1 per cent year-on-year increase in Q2 FY27 profit after Tax to Rs 889 crore. Revenue from operations rose 16.3 per cent to Rs 1,674 crore, while quarterly average assets under management grew 14.4 per cent to Rs 11.61 lakh crore. The company declared an interim dividend of Rs 30 per share, with October 21 set as the record date.

RBL Bank's Q2 FY27 net profit nearly tripled year-on-year to Rs 482 crore. Advances rose 42 per cent to Rs 1.42 lakh crore, while deposits grew 34 per cent to Rs 1.56 lakh crore. The bank said its balance sheet was aided by Rs 32,472 crore mobilised through the RBI's FCNR(B) swap facility. Underlying advances growth, excluding FCNR(B)-linked loans, was approximately 30 per cent.

Jubilant Pharmova approved a plan to raise up to Rs 800 crore through non-convertible debentures (NCDs) and will seek broader debt-issuance authorisation. Separately, Quant Mutual Fund sold 20.81 lakh shares worth approximately Rs 190.47 crore in bulk deals, while Abakkus Four2Eight Opportunities Fund bought 11 lakh shares. The proposed fundraising and institutional transactions place the stock in focus.

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) stayed the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) order that had admitted insolvency proceedings against Polycab India over an alleged operational debt of Rs 2.79 crore, pending further orders.

Separately, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) will remove Polycab India from the equity derivatives segment from December 30, 2026, while existing contracts will remain available until expiry.

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

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