Indian equities closed nearly flat on Wednesday, reflecting investor caution amid global uncertainties, but select sectors provided a counterbalance. The BSE Sensex shed 40.28 points (0.05%) to end at 84,233.64, whereas the NSE Nifty climbed 18.70 points (0.07%) to 25,953.85.
Bullish momentum came primarily from healthcare and automobile stocks, which outperformed amid broader market stagnation. Top sectoral performers included Nifty Healthcare (+1.62%), Nifty Auto (+1.30%), PSU Banks (+1.03%), Pharma (+1.01%), India Manufacturing (+0.76%), and Realty (+0.63%).
Technology stocks dragged the indices lower, with Nifty IT plummeting 1.76%. PSE and private banks saw minor dips of 0.16% apiece.
In the Sensex pack, standout winners were State Bank of India, Maruti Suzuki, IndiGo Paints, Trent, NTPC, Bajaj Finance, ICICI Bank, Sun Pharma, BEL, Bharti Airtel, and Larsen & Toubro. Losers featured TCS, Infosys, HCL Technologies, ITC, Tech Mahindra, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, UltraTech Cement, Titan Company, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finserv, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Asian Paints, and Power Grid.
Broader markets held steady, as Nifty Midcap 100 gained 18.65 points (0.03%) to 60,754.55, and Nifty Smallcap 100 inched up 3.80 points to 17,455.
According to Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, ‘Nifty tested the 26,000 resistance level intraday but retreated. Short-term positivity persists with key support at 25,800. A breakout above 26,000 may usher in renewed buying.’
Trading commenced on a positive note, Sensex opening at 84,339.15 (up 65.23 points) and Nifty at 25,997.45 (up 62.3 points). As markets consolidate, focus shifts to corporate earnings and macroeconomic indicators for directional cues.