Markets are holding modest gains at midday on Friday, with the Sensex trading at 78,213.90, up 225.22 points or 0.29 per cent, and the Nifty 50 at 24,262.35, higher by 65.60 points or 0.27 per cent, as of 12.52 pm. The indices have recovered from a weak morning open, with buying in consumer staples and healthcare offsetting continued pressure in technology and financial stocks.
Gainers and losers
Hindustan Unilever is the standout gainer on the day, rising 4.48 per cent to ₹2,235.00 from its previous close of ₹2,139.10, on volume of 33.76 lakh shares worth ₹75,000.28 lakhs — among the highest traded values in the session. Nestle India advanced 2.23 per cent to ₹1,285.50 against a previous close of ₹1,257.40, on volume of 13.81 lakh shares. Apollo Hospitals gained 1.83 per cent to ₹7,691.00 from ₹7,553.00. Power Grid Corporation added 1.68 per cent to ₹317.50 from ₹312.25, with over 65.79 lakh shares changing hands. Tech Mahindra, which was among the early session’s laggards, has trimmed some losses and is now up 1.40 per cent at ₹1,511.80 against its previous close of ₹1,491.00.
On the losing side, HDFC Life remains under pressure, down 2.70 per cent to ₹614.45 from its previous close of ₹631.50, on volume of 53.16 lakh shares worth ₹32,524.54 lakhs. Wipro, which has been the session’s central focus following its Q4 earnings, continues to trade lower at ₹204.62, down 2.68 per cent from ₹210.26, on extraordinarily heavy volume of 5.45 crore shares worth ₹1,11,594.06 lakhs — the highest traded value in the broader session by a significant margin. L&T is down 1.11 per cent to ₹4,074.20 from ₹4,119.80. HCL Technologies has shed 1.02 per cent to ₹1,435.40 from ₹1,450.20, and Hindalco is off 1.00 per cent to ₹1,029.55 from ₹1,039.90.
Market breadth on BSE is tilted in favour of advances, with 2,768 stocks gaining against 1,361 declining and 199 unchanged, out of 4,328 stocks traded. A total of 157 stocks hit 52-week highs, while 18 touched 52-week lows. There are 230 stocks in the upper circuit and 104 in the lower circuit.
Peace hopes support sentiment
The session’s tone has been shaped by easing geopolitical concerns, particularly around US-Iran diplomatic engagement, which has moderated crude oil prices and tempered near-term inflation worries. Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, noted that while these developments have provided some support, uncertainty over the sustainability of any ceasefire is keeping investors from making aggressive bets. FII activity remains intermittent, with currency risk and the current account deficit continuing to weigh on institutional appetite.
Technically, the Nifty continues to face a significant resistance band between 24,300 and 24,400. The index has traded broadly in line with Thursday’s price action, and analysts are watching whether afternoon trade can produce a sustained move above that zone. The 24,000 mark remains the key psychological support below, with a stronger demand base near 23,800. Until a clear directional breakout emerges, markets are expected to remain range-bound and news-sensitive through the second half of the session.
In commodities, MCX Gold is trading above ₹1,53,000 with buying interest at lower levels, while MCX Crude is holding above the ₹8,600 support level. The rupee is consolidating near ₹92.8 to the dollar. Equity markets will remain open until 3:30 pm, with the afternoon session likely to be closely watched for any shift in institutional flows or global triggers that could determine the closing tone.
Published on April 17, 2026