Stocks in Focus Today, July 16, 2026: IT, Auto and FMCG Stocks Lift Nifty on Thursday

Mumbai, July 16: IT, auto and fast-moving consumer goods stocks rose Thursday, even as broader markets ended largely flat, underlining selective buying interest across the three sectors, rather than a broad-based market rally. 

Information Technology stocks extended gains through Thursday’s session led by HCL Technologies (HCLTECH) and Wipro (WIPRO), underlining the sector’s recent bout of outperformance. Auto stocks rallied on strength in passenger vehicle stocks Maruti Suzuki (MARUTI) and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), along with a handful of auto component stocks.  

FMCG stocks posted modest gains led by tobacco-to-FMCG major ITC and liquor stocks, but several FMCG staples heavyweights ended in the red Thursday. NSE Nifty IT index climbed 1.06 percent while Nifty Auto rose 0.61 percent and Nifty FMCG added 0.18 percent, with the rallies in all three sectors outperforming the benchmark Nifty 50 index. 

Information Technology 

HCL Technologies (HCLTECH): Rs 1,190.30, up 1.91% from its previous close of Rs 1,168 

Wipro (WIPRO): Rs 177.58, up 1.68% from Rs 174.65 

Infosys (INFY): Rs 1,088.30, up 1.11% from Rs 1,076.30 

Tech Mahindra (TECHM): Rs 1,514.70, up 1.07% from Rs 1,498.70 

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS): Rs 2,211.40, up 1.01% from Rs 2,189.20 

Auto 

Maruti Suzuki (MARUTI): Rs 13,830, up 1.82% from Rs 13,583 

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M): Rs 3,137, up 1.75% from Rs 3,082.90 

Samvardhana Motherson International (MOTHERSON): Rs 144.24, up 1.50% from Rs 142.11 

Sona BLW Precision Forgings (SONACOMS): Rs 678.90, up 1.45% from Rs 669.20 

Eicher Motors (EICHERMOT): Rs 7,437, up 0.44% from Rs 7,404.50 

FMCG 

ITC: Rs 279.15, up 0.90% from Rs 276.65 

Radico Khaitan (RADICO): Rs 4,115, up 0.61% from Rs 4,090 

United Spirits (UNITDSPR): Rs 1,381.70, up 0.60% from Rs 1,373.40 

Godrej Consumer Products (GODREJCP): Rs 1,057.60, up 0.47% from Rs 1,052.70 

Patanjali Foods (PATANJALI): Rs 349, up 0.32% from Rs 347.90 

The Nifty IT index rose 1.06% to end at 28,834.60 against Wednesday’s close of 28,532.25. All five index heavyweights ended with gains, making IT stocks a broadly stronger sector Thursday. HCL Technologies was the top gainer among large-cap stocks in the pack, while Wipro and Infosys also rose sharply on strong volumes.  

Mid-tier IT stocks also traded mostly higher Thursday, while software exporter Coforge was the lone decliner among IT index stocks. The rupee traded steady through most of Thursday’s session, while global cues from the technology sector also remained firm, supporting domestic sentiment. Analysts said investors continued to look past geopolitical concerns surrounding Iran and the United States Thursday as well, with the ceasefire agreed between the two countries being hotly contested, keeping broader market sentiment muted through the week. 

Nifty Auto index climbed 0.61% to close at 26,808.15 compared with its previous close of 26,645.10. Passenger vehicle stocks Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra & Mahindra were among the top gainers in the sector on optimism around festive-season demand building up, while auto component stocks Samvardhana Motherson International and Sona BLW Precision Forgings also rose on positive order-book commentary from the companies.  

Eicher Motors and Exide Industries also traded higher, though those gains were more muted. TVS Motor, the two-wheeler major, bucked the trend and ended the day over 1% lower despite a broader-than-usual rally in autos stocks, while Bajaj Auto also gained only marginally Thursday. For the auto sector overall, analysts said rallies were confined to a few stocks and not broad-based. 

The Nifty FMCG index added 0.18% to settle at 48,375.25 against its previous close of 48,286.50. ITC was the top gainer among staples stocks on continued optimism around rural recovery, while liquor stocks Radico Khaitan and United Spirits also rose along with consumer durables maker Godrej Consumer Products and food products maker Patanjali Foods. Hindustan Unilever, Nestle India, Marico, Dabur and Britannia Industries all ended with losses Thursday, highlighting Thursday’s gains in FMCG stocks as stock-specific rather than broad-based across the consumer staples basket. 

The Nifty 50 index ended flat at 24,089.80, up 0.05% against Wednesday’s close of 24,078.50. Gains in IT, auto and FMCG stocks were largely offset by weakness in banks and financial services stocks, with Nifty Bank dipping 0.43% and Nifty Financial Services index falling 0.60% Thursday. 

India Volatility index Nifty India VIX eased 2.54% to settle at 12.93, shedding some heat off recent highs even as tensions between Iran and the United States remain contested following the Iran ceasefire deal.  

Source

• nseindia.com
• https://www.nseindia.com/market-data/live-equity-market?symbol=NIFTY%20IT
• https://www.nseindia.com/market-data/live-equity-market?symbol=NIFTY%20FMCG
• https://www.nseindia.com/market-data/live-equity-market?symbol=NIFTY%20AUTO