Stock Market Today Highlights: The Indian stock market benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, ended with strong gains on Friday, 20 February, reversing early losses, led by strong buying across most sectors.
The Sensex gained 317 points, or 0.38%, to end at 82,814.71, while the Nifty 50 settled at 25,571.25. up 117 points, or 0.46%.
The total market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms has surged to ₹467 lakh crore, up from ₹465 lakh crore in the previous session, effectively increasing investor wealth by an impressive ₹2 lakh crore in just one session.
Twelve out of the 16 major sectors achieved weekly gains, demonstrating robust market performance. In contrast, the broader small-cap segment declined by 0.2%, while mid-caps showed resilience with a 0.1% increase.
Barring Nifty IT, all other sectoral indices were trading in the green, led by Nifty Metals, Nifty FMCG, Nifty PSU Bank, Nifty Auto and Nifty Pharma indices.
The BSE Sensex jumped over 600 points to reclaim 83,000 level, while the NSE Nifty 50 rallied 0.8% to trade above 26,600 level. Broader markets also supported the rally, with the Nifty Smallcap 100 and the Nifty Midcap 100 indices trading higher.
Earlier, the Sensex opened 225.65 points, or 0.27%, lower at 82,272.49, while the Nifty 50 opened 47.80 points, or 0.19%, lower at 25,406.55. Bank Nifty fell 111.70 points, or 0.18%, to open at 60,627.85.
In the previous session, the domestic equity market indices ended sharply lower, with the Nifty 50 closing below 25,500 level. The Sensex crashed 1,236.11 points, or 1.48%, to close at 82,498.14, while the Nifty 50 settled 365.00 points, or 1.41%, lower at 25,454.35.
However, global investor sentiment remains cautious amid escalating tensions between US and Iran.
Asian markets traded mixed, with Japan’s Nikkei and Topix falling over 1% each and South Korea’s Kospi bucking the trend. The US stock market ended lower overnight, with all three major Wall Street indices closing in the red.
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalated after US President Donald Trump warned Iran that it must make a deal over its nuclear program or “really bad things” will happen, and set a deadline of 10 to 15 days.
Gold and Silver Prices
Gold and silver prices on Multi Commodity Exchange of India opened higher amid safe-haven buying on rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
MCX gold rate today opened 0.18% higher at ₹1,55,105 per 10 grams level as against its previous close of ₹1,54,819 level. MCX silver rate opened higher by ₹2,481, or 1.02%, at ₹2,43,874 per kg as against its previous close of ₹2,41,393 level.
In the international market, spot gold price eased 0.1% to $4,995.91 per ounce, while US gold futures for April delivery were up 0.3% at $5,013.60. Spot silver price fell 0.1% to $78.29 per ounce.
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