Sensex, Nifty End Little Changed After Volatile Session; Realty and Auto Offset IT, FMCG Drag 

Mumbai, May 21:Indian benchmark indices ended largely flat on Thursday after a choppy trading session, as gains in realty, healthcare and select auto stocks were offset by weakness in financial, IT and FMCG counters despite supportive global cues and easing crude oil prices.

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

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

Broader markets outperformed the benchmarks, with the Nifty Smallcap 100 index rising 0.63%, while the India VIX declined more than 3%, signalling easing volatility.

Realty, Healthcare Stocks Support Market

Realty and healthcare counters witnessed strong buying interest as investors rotated into domestic growth-oriented sectors.

Select auto shares also gained after crude oil prices cooled sharply on hopes of a potential U.S.-Iran deal, easing concerns around inflation and input-cost pressures for oil-sensitive sectors.

Investor sentiment globally improved after optimism grew around possible diplomatic progress between the United States and Iran, which helped Brent crude retreat from elevated levels seen earlier this month.

The rupee also rebounded sharply during the session after reported intervention by the Reserve Bank of India and softer oil prices helped ease pressure on the domestic currency.

IT, FMCG and Financials Drag Benchmarks

Despite positive global cues, heavyweight IT, FMCG and financial stocks kept benchmark indices under pressure.

Technology shares extended theirweaknesstoday after recording recent gains in the wake of a brutal bloodbath, while FMCG stocks remained subdued amid concerns around slowing urban consumption trends and margin pressures.

Financial stocks also traded mixed as investors continued to monitor bond yields, liquidity conditions and foreign fund flows.

Earnings-driven stock action remains strong

Stock-specific action dominated trade amid a busy earnings season.

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

Sammaan Capital rallied despite posting 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 India’s electric scooter market.

Global Cues Stay Supportive

Asian markets rallied sharply earlier in the day after strong gains on Wall Street and optimism around technology stocks.

Japan’s Nikkei surged, while South Korea’s Kospi jumped, supported by renewed enthusiasm around AI-linked shares and semiconductor demand.

European markets also traded higher, although Indian equities failed to fully capitalise on the positive momentum as investors booked profits in heavyweight sectors after recent volatility.

Source:

• NSE
• BSE