Share Market Today: The two key equity benchmarks, Sensex and Nifty, on Tuesday pared early losses and inched closer to a green zone. At 10.35 am, the BSE Sensex gained 209 points to 76,699. On the other hand, the NSE Nifty50 was trading at 23,328, up 69 points.


Stock update


On the 30-share Sensex platform, L&T, Tata Motors, UltraCemco, Tata Steel, M&M, TechM emerged gainers. On the down side, Asian Paints, Kotak Bank, Airtel JSW Steel, Reliance, and ITC were among the laggards.


In the broader markets, the BSE Midcap index advanced 0.43 per cent while the Smallcap index rose 0.51 per cent.


Sectoral update


Sectorally, except Bank, all other indices are trading in the green. Nifty Realty is the top gainer, up 1.79 per cent. Nifty Media and Nifty Pharma jumped 0.76 per cent and 0.46 per cent, respectively.


In the previous session on Monday, the BSE Sensex closed 203 points lower at 76,490. The NSE Nifty50 closed 31 points down to 23,259 per cent.


On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi retained Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar in charge of the four high-profile ministries - Home, Defence, Finance, and External Affairs - respectively in his new government. The four ministers in charge of these portfolios make up the crucial Cabinet Committee on Security headed by the prime minister.


Global update


In Asian markets, Seoul, and Tokyo quoted higher while Shanghai and Hong Kong traded lower. US markets ended in the positive territory on Monday.


Global oil benchmark Brent crude declined 0.23 per cent to $81.44 a barrel.


Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 2,572.38 crore on Monday, according to exchange data.


Rupee opens flat


Meanwhile, the rupee opened on a flat note against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday, weighed down by a muted trend in domestic equities and the strength of the American currency in overseas markets.


Forex traders said the US dollar strengthened due to increased demand from oil importers and stronger-than-expected economic data from the US. Moreover, rising crude oil prices also weighed on the local unit.


At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit moved in a narrow range. It opened at 83.49 against the American currency and touched 83.50 in initial trade. On Monday, the rupee settled for the day lower by 10 paise at 83.50 against the US dollar.