Markets Close Firm: Sensex ends up 221 points, Nifty holds above 25,400;

TATASTEEL

l jumps 4%,

LTTS

gains 3%

Indian stock markets rebounded on Thursday after a weak start, as investors positioned themselves ahead of the Union Budget scheduled this weekend. Early selling pressure led to a broad market decline, pulling the Sensex down by as much as 637 points (0.8%) to an intraday low of 81,707.94. The Nifty 50 also slipped 183 points (0.7%) to 25,159.80, briefly dipping below the 25,200 level, before recovering losses. Sector-wise trends point to a cautious, risk-averse sentiment, with selling seen in consumption, IT, and defensive stocks. Metal stocks outperformed, driven by cyclical strength and optimism. Financials and energy stocks offered marginal support to the benchmarks. Overall market mood indicates a corrective phase, characterized by selective stock picking rather than broad-based buying, as investors stay wary amid limited near-term growth clarity. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.