Sensex Climbs 262 Points, Nifty Gains 0.4%, IT Rally Keeps Bulls in Control

India's benchmark stock indices ended Friday's trading session on a positive note, extending their winning streak to a third consecutive day as strong gains in IT stocks , encouraging global cues, and easing concerns over US interest rates lifted investor sentiment. Despite some profit booking during the latter half of the session, the markets managed to close firmly in the green, capping off a strong week for Dalal Street.

The BSE Sensex rose 261.79 points , or 0.34 per cent , to settle at 77,763.91 , after touching an intraday high of 78,157.52 . The NSE Nifty 50 also gained 95.15 points , or 0.39 per cent , to finish at 24,270.85 .

The rally was led by technology stocks, with HCL Technologies emerging as the top performer, surging 5.79 per cent . Tech Mahindra , Tata Consultancy Services , Bharti Airtel , Sun Pharma , Bajaj Finserv , UltraTech Cement , Tata Steel , and ICICI Bank also posted healthy gains. In contrast, Axis Bank , State Bank of India , Mahindra & Mahindra , and Larsen & Toubro ended lower.

Analysts said investor confidence improved after weaker than expected US labour market data strengthened expectations that the US Federal Reserve may keep interest rates unchanged in the near term. Softer crude oil prices further supported market sentiment by improving India's inflation outlook and overall macroeconomic stability.

Among sectors, realty , IT , healthcare , metals , and telecommunication stocks led the gains, while power , capital goods , and industrials witnessed profit booking.

The positive momentum was also reflected in the week's performance, with the Sensex gaining 663.44 points and the Nifty advancing 214.85 points . Supported by favourable global markets and renewed buying in technology shares, Indian equities ended the week on a confident note, reinforcing optimism among investors despite continued foreign institutional selling.