Post Session: Quick Review

Markets ended sharply higher on Thursday, as investors were closely monitoring the outcome of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. After making a positive start, the indices turned cautious during the late morning session, weighed down by heavy selling pressure in IT stocks. In afternoon session, markets witnessed strong buying interest and settled near the day’s high points. Traders took some support from reports indicating that the government is considering reduction in the taxes paid by foreign investors on the nation’s bonds.

Some of the important factors in trade:

India, UAE set to ink energy pacts on LPG and strategic oil reserves: Some support came with report that India and the United Arab Emirates are likely to firm up two significant agreements to boost cooperation in areas of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and strategic petroleum reserves during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Gulf nation on May 15.

India, Chile review progress of CEPA negotiations for early conclusion: Traders took support with the report said that India and Chile, a South American nation, have reviewed the progress of negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement and discussed modalities for its early conclusion. 

Piyush Goyal aims to take India’s exports to $1 trillion mark in FY27: Sentiments remained upbeat as Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has aimed to take the country’s goods and services exports to the $1 trillion mark in the current fiscal year (FY27). Goyal said that increasing exports from $863 billion to $1 trillion requires an additional $137 billion, which translates to a 16-17% growth.

On the global front: European markets were trading in green after data showed that UK economy grew at a faster pace in the first quarter, driven by contribution from all three sectors. Asian markets closed mostly lower as investors remained cautious ahead of the high-stakes summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

The BSE Sensex ended at 75398.72, up by 789.74 points or 1.06% after trading in a range of 74526.77 and 75681.88. There were 21 stocks advancing against 8 stocks declining on the index. (Provisional)

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Telecom up by 2.87%, Healthcare up by 2.08%, Metal up by 2.03%, Utilities up by 1.59% and Power up by 1.44%, while IT down by 1.84%, Energy down by 0.19%, Oil & Gas down by 0.10% were the few losing indices on BSE. (Provisional)

The top gainers on the Sensex were Bharti Airtel up by 5.53%, Eternal up by 3.03%, HDFC Bank up by 2.64%, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone up by 2.59% and Mahindra & Mahindra up by 2.23%. On the flip side, Infosys down by 2.53%, Tech Mahindra down by 2.25%, HCL Technologies down by 1.65%, TCS down by 0.95% and Hindustan Unilever down by 0.87% were the top losers. (Provisional) 

Meanwhile, India's wholesale price index (WPI) inflation accelerated further in the month of April 2026 to 8.30% as compared to 3.88% in March 2026, due to a sharp rise in the prices of crude petroleum, natural gas and mineral oils amid geopolitical conflict in West Asia affecting supply chains through the Strait of Hormuz.

The component wise, primary articles index, having weight of 22.62%, increased by 2.58% in April 2026 to 202.4 (provisional) from 197.3 (provisional) in March 2026, on the back of a sharp rise in the prices of crude petroleum & natural gas, food articles and minerals. However, the price of non- food articles decreased in April 2026 compared to March 2026. Fuel & Power index, having weight of 13.15%, increased by 18.22% to 181.7 (provisional) in April 2026 from 153.7 (provisional) in March 2026, as the price of mineral oils increased in April 2026 compared to March 2026. But, the price of electricity decreased in April 2026.

Further, Manufactured Products constituting the major portion of the index with weight of 64.23%, increased by 1.40% to 151.6 (provisional) in April 2026 from 149.5 (provisional) in March 2026. Meanwhile, for the month of February 2026, the final Wholesale Price Index and inflation rate for 'All Commodities' (Base: 2011- 12=100) stood at 158.4 and 2.26% respectively.

The CNX Nifty ended at 23689.60, up by 277.00 points or 1.18% after trading in a range of 23426.55 and 23777.20. There were 39 stocks advancing against 11 stocks declining on the index. (Provisional)

The top gainers on Nifty were Adani Enterprises up by 8.85%, Cipla up by 8.22%, Bharti Airtel up by 5.27%, Eternal up by 3.36% and Dr. Reddy's Lab up by 2.84%. On the flip side, Infosys down by 2.58%, Tech Mahindra down by 2.46%, Coal India down by 1.77%, HCL Tech. down by 1.68% and TCS down by 1.18% were the top losers. (Provisional)

European markets were trading higher; Germany’s DAX gained 268.19 points or 1.11% to 24,405.00, France’s CAC rose 59.63 points or 0.74% to 8,067.60 and UK’s FTSE 100 increased 26.61 points or 0.26% to 10,351.96.

Asian markets ended mixed on Thursday, as elevated crude oil prices and persistent US inflation data sparked investor concerns and reinforced bets that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates higher for longer period. Meanwhile, investors closely monitored takeaways from the high-stakes summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Based on Xi Jinping's readout of the meeting, the two leaders agreed to develop a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability led by cooperation and measured competition. Japanese shares experienced volatility and profit-taking, with the Nikkei pulling back from record highs despite robust corporate earnings reports. Seoul shares ended at a new peak, driven by a sustained rally in artificial intelligence (AI)-related shares, particularly in the semiconductor sector. Indonesian market remained closed on account of holiday.