Indian stock markets ended higher on Thursday, driven by buying in heavyweight IT stocks.
The Sensex closed at 81,765, gaining 809.53 points, or 1 percent, while the Nifty settled at 24,708.40, up by 240.95 points, or 0.98 percent. Intraday, the Sensex moved between 82,317 and 80,467.
Investors showed interest ahead of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) monetary policy decision, which is expected to be announced on December 6 by Governor Shaktikanta Das. The RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting began on December 4.
The Nifty Midcap 100 index ended at 58,441.55, up by 329.15 points, or 0.57 percent, while the Nifty SmallCap 100 index closed at 19,333.55, up by 160 points, or 0.83 percent.
Sectorally, IT, auto, financial services, pharma, FMCG, metal, media, energy, and private banks registered gains, while PSU Bank and realty sectors ended lower.
In the Sensex pack, TCS, Titan, Infosys, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finance, and ICICI Bank were the top performers. NTPC, Asian Paints, and IndusInd Bank recorded losses.
On the currency front, the rupee closed near 84.70, gaining 0.06 paisa. According to Jateen Trivedi of LKP Securities, strength in the equity market supported the currency. Market participants are looking forward to the RBI’s policy announcement, which could provide cues on future rate actions or liquidity measures.