Sensex Up 85 Points, Nifty Ends Above 18,250 Amid Volatility

Midcap and smallcap shares also finished in green as Nifty Midcap 100 index surged 0.65 per cent and Nifty Smallcap 100 index gained 0.61 per cent

Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Coal India, Sun Pharma, UPL, Divis Labs, and L&T were the top gainers on the 50-share index, rising between 2 per cent and 6 per cent. Image: Getty

New Delhi: Amid high volatility, the key benchmark indices ended Thursday’s trading session on a positive note.

The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 85 points to close at 61,235, while the broader NSE Nifty settled 45 points higher at 18,258. Both the indices clocked their fifth straight session gains.

Midcap and smallcap shares also finished in green as Nifty Midcap 100 index surged 0.65 per cent and Nifty Smallcap 100 index gained 0.61 per cent.

Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Coal India, Sun Pharma, UPL, Divis Labs, and L&T were the top gainers on the 50-share index, rising between 2 per cent and 6 per cent.     

On the other hand, Wipro, Asian Paints, HDFC Bank, IndusInd Bank, and HCL Tech were among the laggards.

Out of the 15 sector gauges, nine sectors, compiled by the NSE, settled in the green. Nifty Metal outperformed the index by rising as much as 3.48 per cent.

“Indian markets opened flat to marginally positive despite negative Asian market peers after higher inflation reading from the US and China's bank lending declined more than expected in December.

“During the afternoon session markets managed to trade in green albeit, with a narrow range," said Narendra Solanki, head- Equity Research (Fundamental), Anand Rathi Shares & Stock Brokers.

Elsewhere in Asia, bourses in Shanghai, Tokyo, and Seoul ended with losses, while Hong Kong closed in the green.

Stock exchanges in Europe were trading on a negative note in mid-session deals.

Meanwhile, international oil benchmark Brent crude inched up 0.06 per cent to $84.62 per barrel.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital market, as they sold shares worth Rs 1,001.57 crore on Wednesday, according to stock exchange data.

Meanwhile, according to PTI, the rupee inched higher by 3 paise to close at 73.90 (provisional) against the US dollar on Thursday, as muted domestic equities and weak macroeconomic data weighed on investor sentiments.

Forex traders said elevated crude oil prices also affected the local unit.