Markets magnify gains in late trade

Benchmarks have extended their gains in late afternoon session with HDFC bank and Reliance Industries leading the charge. Market participants remained optimistic as UK’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia Harjinder Kang expressed optimism over trade relation between India and UK, and said that the both the countries share a dynamic and forward-looking partnership built on trust, collaboration, and shared ambition. Meanwhile, investors ignored the fund outflows from Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs). FIIs were the net sellers of equities worth Rs 7,395.41 crore on Friday.  

On the global front, Asian equity markets were trading in green despite data showing Japan's economy grew at a much slower rate than expected in the fourth quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, Taiwanese, South Korean, Chinese and Indonesian markets were remained close on account of holiday. European equity markets were trading higher ahead of release of Eurozone industrial output data.

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 83139.42, up by 512.66 points or 0.62% after trading in a range of 82276.95 and 83212.01. There were 21 stocks advancing against 9 stocks declining on the index.

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Power up by 2.36%, Utilities up by 2.20%, Realty up by 1.24%, PSU up by 1.05% and Energy up by 1.03%, while Auto down by 0.87%, Consumer Discretionary down by 0.37% and IT down by 0.34% were the few losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were Power Grid Corporation up by 4.33%, HDFC Bank up by 2.17%, Axis Bank up by 2.02%, NTPC up by 1.72% and Adani Ports & SEZ up by 1.59%. On the flip side, Tech Mahindra down by 2.06%, Bajaj Finance down by 1.37%, Maruti Suzuki down by 1.20%, Mahindra & Mahindra down by 0.85% and Infosys down by 0.74% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, in a push to strengthen rail infrastructure, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three projects of the Railway Ministry, covering 12 districts across Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka, with a total cost of about Rs 18,509 crore. The approved projects focus on capacity expansion, including the construction of third and fourth lines between Kasara-Manmad, Delhi-Ambala, and Ballari-Hosapete. These projects will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 389 kilometres.  

The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion. The projects are in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a New India, which will make people in the region 'Atmanirbhar' through comprehensive development that enhances employment and self-employment opportunities. The projects are planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with a focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods and services. The expanded network is expected to enhance connectivity to nearly 3,902 villages, benefiting an estimated population of around 97 lakh. 

The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Bhavli Dam, Shri Ghatandevi, Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra/Srinagar, and major attractions such as Hampi (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Ballari Fort, Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary, the Tungabhadra Dam, Kenchanagudda, and the Vijaya Vittala Temple etc. The proposed projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, steel, iron ore, cement, limestone/bauxite, container, foodgrains, sugar, fertilizers, POL etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 96 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The Railways being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics cost of the country, reduce oil import (22 crore Litres) and lower CO2 emissions (111 crore Kg) which is equivalent to plantation of Four crore trees.

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 25636.35, up by 165.25 points or 0.65% after trading in a range of 25372.70 and 25654.95. There were 35 stocks advancing against 16 stocks declining on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were Power Grid Corporation up by 4.40%, Coal India up by 3.19%, HDFC Bank up by 2.37%, Adani Enterprises up by 2.20% and Axis Bank up by 2.12%. On the flip side, Tech Mahindra down by 2.01%, Bajaj Finance down by 1.46%, Maruti Suzuki down by 1.32%, Mahindra & Mahindra down by 0.86% and Eicher Motors down by 0.78% were the top losers.

Asian equity markets were trading higher; Nikkei 225 surged 51.03 points or 0.09% to 56,993.00, Hang Seng advanced 159.88 points or 0.6% to 26,727.00 and Straits Times rose 0.8 points or 0.02% to 4,938.58. 

European equity markets were trading higher; UK’s FTSE 100 increased 25.64 points or 0.25% to 10,471.99, France’s CAC rose 20.16 points or 0.24% to 8,331.90 and Germany’s DAX gained 85.42 points or 0.34% to 25,000.30.