India’s BSE Sensex ended virtually flat at 77,541 on Friday, as sentiment stayed cautious amid elevated oil prices, higher global bond yields, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Strength in financials helped offset weakness in technology, automobile, and FMCG counters. Major private-sector lenders gained more than 1%, with Kotak Mahindra Bank and ICICI Bank leading the advance after Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on 14 Indian banks, citing improving earnings prospects. Brokerage firm Bernstein also projected solid banking sector growth by FY2027, supported by ample liquidity and a rebound in nominal credit growth.