India’s BSE Sensex finished almost flat at 77,187 on Thursday after a volatile session, as gains in technology and consumer stocks offset weakness in banking and financial shares. Investor sentiment stayed cautious amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and fluctuating crude oil prices, with attention firmly on the current corporate earnings season.
The technology sector rebounded after two consecutive losing sessions, with HCL Tech rising 1.7%, Tech Mahindra 1.2%, TCS 0.6% and Infosys 0.4%. Auto stocks also advanced, with Maruti up 1.4% and Mahindra & Mahindra gaining 1.2%, supported by expectations of stronger earnings driven by GST reductions and easier access to credit.
In contrast, major financial names underperformed. Bajaj Finserv fell nearly 1% after insurers ICICI Lombard General Insurance and HDFC Life Insurance posted mixed quarterly results. Among private lenders, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Bank declined 0.9%, 0.6% and 0.3%, respectively.