Stock Market Closing Bell: Sensex gains 255 points, Nifty ends above 24,150; PSU banks, healthcare stocks lead rally; IT drags

Stock Market Closing Bell: Indian equity benchmarks ended higher on Thursday, aided by late-session buying and strength in PSU bank, healthcare, metal and realty stocks. Gains in these sectors helped the market overcome weakness in information technology shares and finish the day in positive territory.

The BSE Sensex advanced 254.36 points, or 0.33 per cent, to close at 77,409.98, while the NSE Nifty50 gained 93.60 points, or 0.39 per cent, to settle at 24,179.30.

Late buying lifts benchmarks

Markets traded in a narrow range for most of the session before witnessing buying interest in the final hours of trade. The late recovery helped both benchmark indices end near their intraday highs.

Banking and financial stocks remained supportive throughout the day, while gains in healthcare and realty counters added to the positive momentum.

PSU banks and healthcare stocks outperform

Among sectoral indices, the Nifty PSU Bank index emerged as one of the top performers, reflecting strong investor interest in state-owned lenders.

Healthcare stocks also witnessed robust buying, pushing the Nifty Healthcare index higher. Realty and consumer durable stocks joined the rally, while metal counters remained firm during the session.

The strong performance across these sectors helped offset weakness in select heavyweight stocks.

IT sector remains under pressure

The Nifty IT index ended as the worst-performing sectoral gauge, with technology stocks facing selling pressure.

The weakness in IT counters limited gains in the broader market, although buying in other sectors more than compensated for the drag.

Max Healthcare, IndiGo among top Nifty gainers

Among the Nifty50 constituents, Max Healthcare Institute, InterGlobe Aviation and Adani Enterprises emerged as the top gainers during the session, helping drive benchmark indices higher.

Broader markets continue to outperform

The broader market maintained its positive trend, with mid-cap and small-cap stocks outperforming frontline indices.

The Nifty MidCap index ended 0.44 per cent higher, while the Nifty SmallCap index gained 0.47 per cent, indicating continued participation beyond large-cap stocks.