Markets extend weekly gains, add ₹14 lakh crore; Sensex at 78,494, Nifty above 24,350

Indian equity markets extended gains for a second straight week, with equity benchmark indices BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty rising over 1% and BSE-listed companies adding nearly ₹14 lakh crore in market capitalisation.

The midcap index outperformed, climbing nearly 4% during the week, led by gains in Suzlon Energy, NLC India and RVNL. Capital market and defence stocks emerged as the top sectoral performers, advancing 6–7%, while all sectoral indices ended higher except Nifty Auto.

Nearly 40 Nifty stocks closed in the green for the week, with Adani Ports, Adani Enterprises, Max Healthcare and Eternal among the top gainers. On the losing side, Eicher Motors, Maruti Suzuki, M&M, Bajaj Finance and Bharti Airtel

declined.

Also Read: VST Industries shares surge 15% after strong cigarette business, price hikes aid growth

In Friday’s (April 17) session, markets closed near the day’s high with broader markets outperforming. The Nifty ended above 24,350, while the Sensex rose 505 points to 78,494 and the Nifty gained 157 points to 24,354. The Nifty Bank index advanced 479 points to 56,566, while the midcap index climbed 751 points to 59,898.

From the Sensex basket, Hindustan Unilever Ltd, Nestle India Ltd, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, Power Grid Corporation Of India Ltd, Max Healthcare Institute Ltd and Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd were the major gainers.

Wipro Ltd, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, HCL Technologies Ltd, Bajaj Auto Ltd, SBI Life Insurance Company Ltd and Hindalco Industries Ltd

were the biggest laggards.

Also Read: Bajaj Life bets on autos, banks, pharma; cuts exposure to weak sectors

Heavyweights including Reliance Industries, HUL, SBI and HDFC Bank were the top contributors to the Nifty’s gains. The Nifty Bank index saw broad-based buying, with all constituents ending higher except ICICI Bank.

Market breadth remained strong, with the advance-decline ratio at 3:1, indicating broad participation. All sectoral indices ended higher on the day, led by the capital market and FMCG stocks.

Among stocks, Wipro declined 3% after its Q4 results, while HDFC Life slipped over 2% on weak earnings. Angel One surged over 10% after reporting an 84% year-on-year rise in Q4 net profit to ₹320 crore, while VST Industries also gained over 10% on strong results.

RVNL rose over 3% after being declared the lowest bidder for a three-year contract worth ₹968 crore. On the gainers’ side, HUL, Nestle India, Power Grid, Reliance Industries and Adani Ports led the Nifty pack. In the midcap segment, Colgate, Suzlon Energy, HDFC AMC, MRPL and Cochin Shipyard were among the top losers.

Also Read: Waaree Renewable shares rise 6% after Q4 profit jumps 66%, revenue more than doubles

The rupee strengthened to close at 92.93 per dollar against Thursday’s close of 93.20.