Stock Market Today: Sensex Jumps 230 Points; Nifty Around 21,450. Metal, Pharma Lead; Media, IT Drag

Stock update: On the 30-share Sensex platform, NTPC, M&M, Wipro, Kotak Bank, Tata Steel, Asian Paints were among gainers. On the flipside, Bajaj twins, Infosys, TCS, Tata Motors, HCLTech were losers

The two key equity benchmarks, Sensex and Nifty, on Tuesday settled in the green recouping early losses amid robust buying in some index heavyweights. The S&P BSE Sensex index, which slipped to a low of 71,012 earlier today, closed at 71,337, up 230 points. On the other hand, the NSE Nifty50 settled at 21,441, up 92 points. It hit a low of 21,329 during intra-day trade.

On the 30-share Sensex platform, NTPC, M&M, Wipro, Kotak Bank, Tata Steel, Asian Paints were among gainers. On the downside, Bajaj twins, Infosys, TCS, Tata Motors, HCLTech emerged losers.

About 2,063 shares advanced, 1,325 shares declined, and 109 shares unchanged.

In the broader markets, the BSE Midcap index added 0.7 per cent and Smallcap index added up 0.5 per cent.

Sectorally, the Nifty Metal, Pharma, and Healthcare indices gained over 1 per cent each, followed by 0.98 per cent rise in the Nifty Auto index. Nifty Media index fell 0.58 per cent, and the Nifty IT shed 0.4 per cent.

Sensex and Nifty on Monday (December 25) remained shut on account of Christmas.

In Asian markets, Seoul and Tokyo settled with gains, while Shanghai ended lower. Markets in Hong Kong were closed. Markets in the US and Europe were closed on Monday. European markets remained closed on Tuesday for Boxing Day.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.03 per cent to $79.09 a barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 2,828.94 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.

Meanwhile, the rupee slipped 3 paise to settle at 83.19 (provisional) against the US dollar on Tuesday amid a strong American currency and outflow of foreign funds. A positive equity market sentiment and softer crude oil prices, however, provided a cushion and restricted the fall in the Indian currency, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic currency opened at 83.17 and traded between a peak of 83.10 and a low level of 83.21 against the greenback during intra-day deals. The local unit settled at 83.19 (provisional) against the dollar, registering a loss of 3 paise from its previous close. On Friday, the domestic currency settled at 83.16 against the dollar.