Benchmark domestic equity indices surged over one per cent today amid hopes of de-escalation in West Asia. The Sensex climbed 941 points to close at 77 thousand and 959, while the Nifty rose 298 points to settle at 24 thousand and 331. However, the broader market on the National Stock Exchange outperformed the frontline indices. The Midcap 100 soared nearly 1.8 per cent, and the Smallcap 100 jumped more than 1.9 per cent.
Earlier, the market opened with a gap-up amid positive global cues. Although the indices briefly turned negative during the afternoon session, they later rebounded sharply, supported by easing crude oil prices.
In the Sensex pack, shares of 21 out of 30 companies registered gains. Among the top performers, Indigo jumped 6.6 per cent, Trent climbed 3.9 per cent and Asian Paints advanced by nearly 3.6 per cent. In contrast, Reliance shed 1.8 per cent, Larsen and Toubro slipped 1.2 per cent, and PowerGrid fell by 1.1 per cent.
In the sectoral indices at the BSE, 21 out of 25 sectors edged upward. In the top gainers, Telecommunication rose over 2.9 per cent, Services climbed 2.9 per cent and PSU Banks added 2.8 per cent. Among the top losers, Power dropped almost half a per cent, Utilities lost 0.2 per cent, and FMCG as well as Energy dipped more than 0.1 per cent.
The overall market breadth at the BSE was positive, as shares of 2 thousand 862 companies advanced, 1 thousand 365 declined, and 167 remained unchanged.
