Closing Bell: Sensex Closes At 82,000, Nifty Retains 25K; Financial, Healthcare Stocks Top Gainer

Indian equity markets are opened on a positive note on Thursday, following five consecutive sessions of gains. Early indicators suggest consolidation, with investors closely monitoring global developments and policy cues. Optimism continues to stem from potential Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, progress in the Russia-Ukraine peace dialogue and improving diplomatic signals between India and China.

As of 8:05 AM, GIFT Nifty futures were up by 18 points at 25,098, signaling a muted but slightly positive start for the benchmark indices.

Sector-wise Performances

On the sectoral front, IT stocks led the gains, rising 2.7% as anticipation builds ahead of the US Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole symposium later this month. These companies, heavily reliant on US revenues, benefited from expectations of supportive Fed commentary. Consumer stocks also saw traction, gaining 1.4%, driven by hopes that GST reform could unlock fresh domestic demand.

In contrast, financial stocks edged lower by 0.4%, acting as a drag on broader indices. Meanwhile, mid- and small-cap indices posted modest gains, rising 0.5% and 0.3% respectively, reflecting investor interest beyond the large-cap space.

Gaming companies were under pressure after reports emerged that the government may impose a ban on online money-based games. Shares of Nazara Technologies dropped sharply by 12.9%, while OnMobile Global slipped 3.4%, spooked by the regulatory uncertainty.

Global Market Recap

In global markets, the mood remained mixed. Asian equities opened unevenly, tracking volatility in the US. Japan's Nikkei 225 was down 0.3%, while South Korea's KOSPI gained around 1%, indicating a region-wide divergence in sentiment.

In the US, Wall Street ended on a mixed note. The S&P 500 dipped 0.24%, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.67%, hurt by continued pressure on technology shares. On the other hand, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed flat with a marginal positive bias, reflecting resilience in more defensive sectors.