CHENNAI: Indian equity markets on Thursday (October 23), saw a mixed session, with early gains giving way to profit booking later in the day. The BSE Sensex closed at 84,484.30, up 57.96 points or 0.07 percent, while the NSE Nifty 50 ended at 25,869.95, rising 1.35 points or 0.01 percent. Both indices touched intraday highs, with the Nifty briefly crossing 26,000 for the first time since September 2024. However, profit booking trimmed most of the gains by the close.
The IT sector led the market, rising 2.21 percent, supported by strong performances from Infosys and HCL Technologies. Other sectors that ended higher included Private Banks, FMCG, and PSU Banks, while Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Financial Services, Auto, and Consumer Durables saw marginal declines. Market breadth was weak, with 1,626 stocks advancing, 2,238 declining, and 110 remaining unchanged.
Technically, the Nifty 50 maintained a bullish structure, with support around 25,800–25,700 and resistance between 26,000–26,300. Analysts expect the market to consolidate within this range in the short term while awaiting fresh cues. The modest gains reflected cautious investor sentiment amid profit booking, with IT stocks providing key support. Investors will be closely watching global developments and upcoming economic data for further direction.