DLF And Bajaj Auto Offset Weakness From Tech Mahindra, Infosys, HUL 

Mumbai, May 21:Indian benchmark indices ended little changed on Thursday after a volatile session, as gains in realty, healthcare and select auto stocks were offset by weakness in IT, FMCG and financial heavyweights including Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services.

The Sensex fell 135.03 points, or 0.18%, to close at 75,183.36, while the Nifty 50 slipped 4.30 points, or 0.02%, to settle at 23,654.70.

Market breadth remained firmly positive, with 2,307 shares advancing against 1,688 declines, indicating broader buying interest beneath muted benchmark moves. Realty stocks led sectoral gains, while IT and FMCG counters emerged as the biggest laggards.

DLF, Bajaj Auto Lead Rescue as Oil Prices Cool

Nifty realty index rose one per cent as stocks including DLF and Godrej Properties advanced as investors rotated into domestic growth-oriented sectors. DLF rose 0.8% to Rs 587.9 while Godrej Properties increased one per cent to Rs 1,736.9.

Nifty auto index rose 0.28% as auto parts maker SamvardhanaMotherson International moved the most, rising 3.6 per cent to Rs 137 after reporting a rise in profit a day ago. Bajaj Auto rose 2% to Rs 10,667 after Brent crude prices cooled sharply on hopes of a potential U.S.-Iran deal, easing concerns around fuel costs and inflationary pressures. But Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles flatlined at Rs 361.3. Maruti Suzuki also ended flat.

Lower crude prices are generally viewed as positive for oil-sensitive sectors such as automobiles, paints and aviation.

Among healthcare counters, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise witnessed strong buying interest after reporting a rise in profit and announcing plans to diveststake in its fertility and maternity business to Kids Clinic India in a deal valued at about Rs 1,550crore.

Infosys, TCS Drag

Technology stocks extended declineafter strong gains in global semiconductor and AI-linked shares overnight.

Heavyweights such as Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services and HCL Technologies continued to weaken following the sector’s recent rebound in the wake of a brutal bloodbath.

Concerns around slowing discretionary technology spending, elevated U.S. bond yields and uncertainty over global economic growth continued to weigh on Indian IT companies.

HUL, Nestle Weigh on FMCG

FMCG stocks including Hindustan Unilever and Nestlé India remained subdued amid concerns around slowing urban consumption trends and pressure on margins.

Financial stocks also traded mixed as investors monitored liquidity conditions, bond yields and foreign institutional investor flows.

Vodafone Idea, Ola Electric Remain in Focus

Stock-specific action dominated amid the ongoing earnings season.

Vodafone Idea remained among the most actively traded stocks for the seventh consecutive session as investors tracked developments around its proposed ₹35,000-crore funding package with lenders.

Sammaan Capital rallied despite reporting a wider quarterly loss, while Jaiprakash Power Ventures gained after Adani Power signed agreements to acquire a 24% stake and related assets from Jaiprakash Associates.

On the other hand, Ola Electric Mobility declined after reporting a sharp drop in quarterly revenue, raising concerns over slowing demand and intensifying competition in the electric scooter market.

Source:

• NSE