Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, closed in green for the third consecutive session on Thursday. The positive direction of the market was supported by strong gains in heavyweight Larsen and Toubro and optimism generated by the Economic Survey, which projected GDP growth of 6.8 to 7.2 percent for the coming financial year.Recovering from sharp losses in early trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex advanced 221.69 points, or 0.27 percent, to close at 82,566.37. The index had slipped as much as 636.74 points, or 0.77 percent, to 81,707.94 during the morning session.The NSE Nifty also reversed its early decline, rising 76.15 points, or 0.30 percent, to settle at 25,418.90. Earlier in the day, the index had dropped 182.95 points, or 0.72 percent, to an intraday low of 25,159.80.Market participants said a positive global market trend along with renewed foreign fund inflows helped domestic benchmarks bounce back from their lows.Among Sensex constituents, Tata Steel emerged as the top performer, surging 4.41 percent. Larsen and Toubro gained 3.66 percent after reporting a 10 percent year-on-year increase in consolidated revenue from operations to Rs 71,450 crore for the October-December quarter, compared with Rs 64,668 crore a year earlier.Axis Bank, Eternal, NTPC, Adani Ports and ICICI Bank also posted gains. On the downside, Asian Paints, InterGlobe Aviation, Maruti and Bharat Electronics ended lower.Earlier in the day, the Economic Survey for 2025–26 projected GDP growth in the range of 6.8 to 7.2 percent for the next fiscal year, citing the cumulative impact of reforms and noting that the economy remains on a stable path. The Survey also said negotiations on a trade agreement with the United States are expected to be concluded during the year, which could help ease external uncertainties.“Domestic markets ended higher after staging a strong rebound, supported by an upbeat economic survey that reaffirmed a robust FY27 growth outlook and a well-anchored inflation environment amidst persistent global uncertainties,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments Limited, said.Exchange data showed that foreign institutional investors turned net buyers on Wednesday after several sessions of selling, purchasing equities worth Rs 480.26 crore. Domestic institutional investors also provided support, buying shares valued at Rs 3,360.59 crore.Across Asia, major indices including South Korea’s Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225, China’s Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng closed higher. European markets were trading in the green, while US equities ended flat overnight.In the commodities market, Brent crude oil rose 2.50 percent to USD 70.11 per barrel.On Wednesday, the Sensex had climbed 487.20 points, or 0.60 percent, to finish at 82,344.68, while the Nifty gained 167.35 points, or 0.66 percent, to close at 25,342.75.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
