Indian markets added more points in early afternoon session following positive cues from other Asian markets. Sentiments were improved amid signs of progress in US-Iran talks. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its World Economic Outlook (WEO), has projected that India’s economy is likely grow at 6.5 per cent in 2027. Traders overlooked the government’s data showing that Wholesale price inflation (WPI) rose for the fifth straight month, at 3.88 per cent in March, driven by a sharp spike in rates of fuel, power and manufactured items amid the West Asia crisis. Wholesale Price Index based inflation was 2.13 per cent in the previous month and 2.25 per cent in March last year. On the global front, all Asian markets were trading higher amid renewed optimism over US–Iran peace talks and falling crude oil prices.
The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 78100.73, up by 1253.16 points or 1.63% after trading in a range of 77849.52 and 78270.42. There were 28 stocks advancing against 2 stocks declining on the index.
The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Industrials up by 3.09%, Power up by 2.75%, Realty up by 2.73%, Capital Goods up by 2.65% and IT was up by 2.53%, while there were no losing sectoral indices on the BSE.
The top gainers on the Sensex were Interglobe Aviation up by 4.66%, Eternal up by 3.98%, Larsen & Toubro up by 3.57%, Adani Ports up by 3.17% and TCS up by 2.92%. On the flip side, Bharti Airtel down by 0.42% and ICICI Bank down by 0.26% were the top losers.
Meanwhile, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has held virtual talks with Oman's Commerce Minister, Anwar bin Hilal bin Hamdoun Al Jabri to discuss unlocking of opportunities under the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to boost bilateral trade and investment ties for the mutual growth of both nations. In recent days, Goyal has held discussions with the trade ministers of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait to expand India’s economic footprint in West Asia.
The CEPA, signed in Muscat in December 2025, is yet to be implemented. Under the CEPA, about 98 per cent of India’s exports including textiles, agricultural products and leather goods are set to receive duty-free access to the Oman market. On the other hand, India will reduce tariffs on Omanese products such as dates, marbles and petrochemical items, paving the way for more balanced trade.
Bilateral trade between the two nations reached about $10.5 billion (exports $4 billion and imports $6.54 billion) during fiscal year 2024-25. The joint US-Israel attacks on Iran have caused severe disruptions in the movement of ships in international waters, particularly to the West Asian nations. The conflict has posed challenges for exporters to ship goods to the Gulf region, with which India had a bilateral trade of $178 billion in 2024-25 ($56.87 billion exports and $121.67 billion imports).
The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 24221.55, up by 378.90 points or 1.59% after trading in a range of 24145.80 and 24280.90. There were 46 stocks advancing against 4 stocks declining on the index.
The top gainers on Nifty were Interglobe Aviation up by 4.66%, Eternal up by 4.00%, Larsen & Toubro up by 3.56%, Max Healthcare Inst up by 3.53% and Tata Motors Passenger up by 3.36%. On the flip side, Dr. Reddy's Lab down by 1.49%, Bharti Airtel down by 0.38%, ICICI Bank down by 0.24% and Coal India down by 0.08% were the top losers.
All Asian markets were trading higher; Taiwan Weighted added 426.02 points or 1.16% to 36,722.14, Nikkei 225 surged 342.61 points or 0.59% to 58,220.00, Hang Seng advanced 181.68 points or 0.7% to 26,054.00, KOSPI increased 123.64 points or 2.03% to 6,091.39, Jakarta Composite gained 22.51 points or 0.29% to 7,698.46, Straits Times rose 10.68 points or 0.21% to 5,018.25 and Shanghai Composite was up by 0.58 points or 0.01% to 4,027.21.
