Muhurat trading lifts Sensex to 84,426 on Diwali
Indian stock exchanges gained ground Tuesday as traders marked Diwali festivities and started the Hindu calendar year Vikram Samvat 2082 with a ceremonial session. The Sensex climbed 62.97 points to finish at 84,426.34 while the Nifty added 25.45 points to reach 25,868.60. Markets sustained strength for a fifth straight day as international conditions remained favorable. Bajaj Finserv, Infosys, Axis Bank, Tata Steel, Power Grid and Bajaj Finance led gains while Kotak Mahindra Bank, HCL Technologies, ICICI Bank, Maruti Suzuki and Asian Paints posted declines.
The Bank Nifty dropped 26 points to settle at 58,007.20 as broader indices advanced, with the midcap measure rising 0.11 percent and the smallcap gauge jumping 0.52 percent. Technology, automobile, metal, pharmaceutical, energy and oil sectors recorded moderate increases while banking, public sector lender and property segments slipped. Exchanges operated for one hour from 1:45 to 2:45 in the afternoon, following a preparation period. Analysts said the benchmark held above 25,800 support with potential advances toward 26,000 if momentum continues.
