Defence, Capital Markets Lead Charge as Trump Signals War's End

Mumbai, April 1: India’s sectoral indices surged sharply on Wednesday morning, as US President Donald Trump signalled that Washington could scale down its military campaign against Iran within weeks. Trump said the US was “finishing the job” — markets responded with conviction.

Nifty India Defence topped all sectoral gainers, jumping 6.24% to 7,664.75 — its largest single-day move in recent memory. Up 20.97% over the past year, the sector surged further as Trump’s war-end signal reinforced investor confidence in India’s domestic defence manufacturing ambitions.

Nifty Capital Markets rose 4.74% to 4,453.20, up 32.35% over twelve months. Relief rallies drive trading volumes and brokerage revenues — this sector is a direct beneficiary. Nifty India Railways PSU gained 4.83% to 2,881.75. Nifty Waves advanced 4.86% to 1,659.60. Nifty India Tourism climbed 4.48% to 6,809.45 — a sector hit hard by war-related flight disruptions, now pricing in restored air corridors.

Nifty Midsmall Financial Services rose 3.90% to 18,777.95. Nifty Financial Services Ex-Bank gained 3.63% to 27,992.00. Nifty IT jumped 3.77% to 30,158.95, shaking off its 16.18% annual decline as global risk appetite returned sharply. Nifty Media advanced 3.83% to 1,310.20. Nifty Metal rose 3.66% to 11,546.35, extending a strong 28.05% one-year run on brightening commodity demand.

Nifty Auto gained 3.45% to 24,588.85, building on a 15.79% annual return. Easing supply chains and softer crude — if the war ends — would directly benefit the sector. Nifty Consumer Durables added 3.32% to 34,118.40. Nifty PSU Bank rose 3.19% to 8,124.40, up 29.90% over twelve months. Nifty Chemicals climbed 3.42% to 25,787.95.

The defensive sectors lagged, as expected in a risk-on day. Nifty FMCG rose just 1.87% to 46,389.75, continuing its 12.64% one-year decline. Nifty Pharma added 1.85% to 22,644.10. Nifty Healthcare gained 1.71% to 14,444.10. Nifty Oil & Gas advanced 2.26% to 11,031.90 — crude holding above $103 kept energy stocks measured even as optimism ran high elsewhere.

India VIX fell 10.12% to 25.07. Fear dropped sharply across the session. That single number captures Wednesday’s mood — not certainty that the war is over, but a clear market bet that the worst is behind us.

Source: https://www.nseindia.com/market-data/live-market-indices