Indian Markets End Flat in Range-Bound Session; Selective Buying Supports Benchmarks Amid Global Cues

Nifty 50 closed near 24,078 levels, registering a modest gain of around 26 points or 0.11%. The index witnessed an intraday high of approximately 24,220 and a low touching 24,010, reflecting typical volatility as traders navigated global geopolitical tensions and profit booking pressures. BSE Sensex closed at 77,185, up roughly 130 points or 0.17%, oscillating between a high near 77,580 and a low around 77,150 during the day. Bank Nifty displayed mild weakness, settling near 57,758 after trading in a band with a high of 57,931 and low of 57,564. IT and Oil & Gas emerged as the two standout performing sectors. The IT sector rebounded smartly in the latter half of the session as investors accumulated quality large-caps on expectations of stable quarterly performance and favorable global tech sentiment, aided by a relatively stable rupee

, . Meanwhile, Oil & Gas stocks witnessed a sharp rally driven by surging crude oil prices triggered by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which improved margin outlook for refiners and exploration companies even as it raised long-term import bill concerns for the economy. , Top gainers were led by energy and specialty names such as , which jumped significantly. Top losers included selective financials like which corrected over 2% due to profit booking after a recent rally, along with a few pharma and auto ancillary stocks facing short-term pressure from rotation and valuation concerns. Globally, persistent US-Iran tensions kept crude prices elevated, supporting domestic energy stocks while keeping a check on overall sentiment due to inflation risks for oil-import dependent economies like India. US markets closed with modest gains providing some overnight support, while Asian peers traded mixed. No major central bank announcements today, but participants remain vigilant on oil volatility, upcoming data releases, and potential policy implications.