Indian equity markets ended marginally higher on Friday, before surrendering most of their intra-day gains in the afternoon session.
At the closing bell, the Sensex added 187 points, or 0.23 per cent, to settle at 83,570. The Nifty advanced 28 points, or 0.11 per cent, to close at 25,694.
The broader markets performed largely in line with the benchmark indices, as the Nifty Midcap 100 index slipped 0.07 per cent, while the NSE Smallcap 100 declined 0.34 per cent.
The benchmark Nifty opened on a muted note at 25,696 and advanced to an intra-day high of 25,873, driven by a rally in IT stocks amid stronger-than-expected December quarter results. However, it failed to sustain higher levels and eventually slipped to an intraday low of 25,662, reflecting profit-taking at elevated levels.
On the sectoral front, IT, realty and banking stocks outperformed. Nifty IT was the top gainer, rising 3.34 per cent. Nifty Pharma and consumer durables slipped 1.30 per cent and 1.15 per cent, respectively.
The Nifty Bank index also rose around 0.84 per cent to 60,082, inching closer to a new record high.
Analysts said the IT sector outperformed, supported by an upward revision in revenue growth projections by a leading industry bellwether, coupled with expectations of increased technology spending.
Meanwhile, investor focus also shifted to banking counters, as early results reflected notable improvements in asset quality and margin profiles, further strengthening sentiment in the sector.
In the derivatives segment, market breadth remained marginally positive, with 131 stocks advancing against 82 declines.
Analysts said better-than-expected Q3 FY26 results could trigger stock-specific action, but foreign institutional selling is expected to continue in the near term.
— IANS
