Sensex Starts the Day Higher

India’s BSE Sensex advanced about 0.4% to 77,221 on Wednesday, rebounding from the previous session’s losses, though upside remained constrained by elevated oil prices and persistent foreign portfolio outflows. Brent crude hovered near $112 per barrel amid escalating geopolitical tensions, as the US–Iran standoff persisted following reports that US President Donald Trump had instructed aides to prepare for a prolonged blockade of Iranian ports.

Sentiment was also guarded ahead of the forthcoming Federal Reserve policy decision, with guidance on interest rates and liquidity expected to influence global capital flows and risk appetite for emerging markets.

On the domestic front, top gainers included Garden Reach (+14.4%), Bandhan Bank (+9%), Emmvee (+8.3%), and Mazagon Dock (+4.3%). Most sectors traded in positive territory, with the notable exception of non-energy minerals, where JSW Steel (-1.8%), Hindalco (-1.5%), Jindal (-1.8%), and National Aluminium (-1.6%) led the declines.