New Delhi, May 25 (H.S.): Optimism over a possible peace or agreement between the United States and Iran lifted global equity markets on Monday, triggering strong buying across most major indices. The domestic stock market also ended the session on a robust note.

The trading session began on a positive footing, although early profit-booking led to volatility in both the Sensex and Nifty. Despite intermittent fluctuations, sustained buying pressure kept both benchmark indices in positive territory throughout the day. Strong late-session buying, especially in the final hour of trade, helped the Sensex close 1.42 per cent higher, while the Nifty gained 1.32 per cent.

Most sectoral indices ended in the green. Banking, oil & gas, public sector enterprises, and automobile stocks witnessed heavy buying. Technology, metal, healthcare, consumer durables, capital goods, and IT sectors also closed with gains. In contrast, FMCG stocks faced selling pressure during the session.

Broader markets also saw sustained buying interest. The Nifty Midcap index rose 0.94 per cent, while the Smallcap index advanced 1.37 per cent.

Due to the market rally, investors’ wealth increased significantly. The total market capitalisation of companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) rose to approximately ₹468.78 lakh crore (provisional), compared to ₹462.25 lakh crore in the previous session. This resulted in an investor wealth gain of about ₹6.53 lakh crore in a single day.

A total of 4,531 stocks were actively traded on the BSE, of which 2,785 advanced, 1,535 declined, and 211 remained unchanged. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), 2,996 stocks were traded, with 2,054 advancing and 942 declining. Among Sensex constituents, 26 stocks closed higher while 4 ended in the red. Similarly, in the Nifty 50 index, 40 stocks advanced and 10 declined.

The BSE Sensex opened at 76,135.82, up by 720.47 points. Within the first 10 minutes, profit-booking dragged it to 76,097.02. However, strong buying soon pushed the index higher again, despite intermittent volatility due to profit-taking.

In the final hour of trade, aggressive buying lifted the Sensex to an intraday high of 76,559.07, up 1,143.72 points. It eventually closed 1,073.61 points higher at 76,488.96, slightly below its peak.

Similarly, the NSE Nifty opened at 23,940.25, up 220.95 points. It climbed further amid early buying, later fluctuating due to profit-booking, but maintained overall strength throughout the session. In the last hour, strong buying pushed it to an intraday high of 24,054.45, up 335.15 points. It finally closed 312.40 points higher at 24,031.70.

Among major gainers, Eicher Motors rose 6.19 per cent, Adani Enterprises 4.87 per cent, Bajaj Finance 2.77 per cent, TMPV 2.72 per cent, and Larsen & Toubro 2.72 per cent. On the losing side, Max Healthcare declined 2.19 per cent, ONGC 1.74 per cent, Hindalco Industries 0.87 per cent, Nestlé 0.67 per cent, and Bajaj Auto 0.55 per cent closed lower.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar