Indian equities ended Tuesday, January 27, on a firm note after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a long-awaited free trade agreement between India and the European Union, lifting overall investor sentiment.
The Sensex rose 320 points, or 0.39 percent, to close at 81,857.48, while the Nifty 50 gained 127 points, or 0.51 percent, to finish at 25,175.40.
Broader markets also posted modest gains. The Nifty Midcap 150 index advanced 0.53 percent, while the Nifty Smallcap 250 added 0.20 percent.
The rally added more than ₹2 lakh-crore to investor wealth in a single session, with the total market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies rising to over ₹453.7 lakh crore from ₹451.6 lakh crore in the previous session.
The India–EU FTA announcement boosted sentiment, though gains were capped by continued foreign institutional investor selling, geopolitical concerns and mixed December-quarter earnings. Investors also remained cautious ahead of the Union Budget 2026 and the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision.
Adani Enterprises (up 5.30 percent), Axis Bank (up 5.09 percent) and JSW Steel (up 4.55 percent) led the rally. Overall, 34 Nifty 50 stocks ended higher.
Mahindra & Mahindra fell 4.25 percent, Asian Paints declined 2.80 percent, and Kotak Mahindra Bank slipped 2.58 percent.
Metal, banking and IT stocks outperformed, while auto, FMCG and consumer durables stocks came under pressure amid concerns over heightened competition following the FTA.
Nifty Metal jumped 3.07 percent. Nifty Bank rose 1.25 percent, PSU Bank gained 1.76 percent and Private Bank added 1 percent.
On the downside, Nifty Auto fell 0.93 percent, FMCG slipped 0.60 percent and Consumer Durables declined 0.59 percent. Nifty Media dropped 1.44 percent.
Tata Silver ETF, Vodafone Idea and Tata Gold ETF were the most traded counters on the NSE.
Market breadth remained weak, with over 2,300 stocks declining against around 1,900 advancing on the BSE.
About 80 stocks, including Axis Bank, Tech Mahindra, Hindalco, JSW Steel, Tata Steel and Vedanta, touched fresh 52-week highs.
As many as 663 stocks hit 52-week lows, including ITC, Cipla, Dixon Technologies, Havells India, Indian Hotels Company, Suzlon Energy and Tube Investments of India.
Eleven stocks jumped over 15 percent, led by Antelopus Selan Energy, IRIS RegTech Solutions, Tokyo Plast International, Lotus Chocolate Company, and Automotive Stampings and Assemblies.
According to Kotak Securities, 25,000 and 24,900 remain key support levels for the Nifty 50. Immediate resistance is seen at 25,200. A breakout above this level could push the index towards the 25,300–25,350 zone, while a fall below 24,900 may weaken sentiment and prompt profit-booking.
(By arrangement with livemint.com)
