Sensex, Nifty 50 rise defying weak global cues— 10 key highlights of Indian stock market today

A day after falling by nearly a per cent each, Indian stock market benchmarks—the Sensex and the Nifty 50—resumed their upward march on Thursday, March 27, the last day of monthly derivative contracts, defying weak global cues.

The Sensex ended 318 points, or 0.41 per cent, higher at 77,606.43, while the Nifty 50 closed the day at 23,591.95, up 105 points, or 0.45 per cent.

The domestic market witnessed buying across segments, as the BSE Midcap and Smallcap indexes also clocked healthy gains of 0.46 per cent and 0.90 per cent, respectively.

Due to widespread gains, the overall market capitalisation of firms listed on the BSE rose to nearly ₹415 lakh crore from about ₹412 lakh crore in the previous session, making investors richer by about ₹3 lakh crore in a single session.

Stock market today: 10 key highlights

Here are 10 key highlights of the Indian stock market today:

1. Why did the Indian stock market rise despite weak global cues?

The domestic market exhibited remarkable resilience on Thursday despite subdued global markets. Major indices in the UK (FTSE), Germany (DAX) and France (CAC 40) dropped up to a per cent during the session. From Asia, Japan's Nikkei and Korea's Kospi also dropped up to a per cent on mounting concerns over a trade war. US President Donald Trump announced a 25 per cent tax on vehicles imported to the US will be levied from April 3.

Experts believe the expectations of a revival in earnings growth in FY26 due to easing inflation and interest rate cuts are the key factors behind the Indian stock market's rise.

"Domestic indices maintained optimism throughout the day, driven by sustained foreign fund inflows and the purchase of blue-chip stocks. Despite challenges, the broader market demonstrated resilience, supported by expectations of double-digit earnings growth in FY26, driven by easing inflation and a downward trend in interest rates, which are anticipated to improve domestic fundamentals," Vinod Nair, the head of research at Geojit Investments Limited, observed.

2. Top 3 Nifty 50 gainers today

As many as 38 stocks ended higher in the Nifty 50 pack, among which shares of Hero MotoCorp (up 3.13 per cent), Bajaj Finserv (up 2.86 per cent) and IndusInd Bank (up 2.78 per cent) ended as the top three gainers.

3. Top 3 Nifty 50 losers today

Shares of Tata Motors (down 5.47 per cent), Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (down 1.40 per cent) and Eicher Motors (down 1.04 per cent) - ended as the top losers in the index.

4. Sectoral indices today

Nifty PSU Bank (up 2.50 per cent) was the top gainer among sectoral indices today.

With a gain of 0.72 per cent, Nifty Bank outperformed Nifty 50 today. Nifty Financial Services rose 0.73 per cent.

On the other hand, Nifty Auto index dropped 1.04 per cent on concerns over Trump tariffs. Pharma (down 0.40 per cent) and Healthcare (down 0.22 per cent) also declined today.

5. Most active stocks in terms of volume

According to NSE data, Vodafone Idea (95.6 crore shares), Zomato (40 crore shares), and YES Bank (21.5 crore shares) were the most active stocks in terms of volume.

6. Over 50 stocks hit 52-week highs

Some 56 stocks, including AAVAS Financiers, Chambal Fertilisers & Chemicals and Shree Cement, hit their 52-week highs in intraday trade on BSE on Thursday.

7. Over 450 stocks plumb 52-week lows

As many as 458 stocks, including Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care, Sona BLW Precision Forgings, Equitas Small Finance Bank, Galaxy Surfactants, Happiest Minds Technologies, Mahindra Lifespace Developers, Metro Brands and Sundram Fasteners, hit their fresh 52-week lows in intraday trade on the BSE.

8. Five stocks rose over 15% on NSE

Jindal Worldwide (up 20 per cent), Aurionpro Solutions (up 20 per cent), MBL Infrastructure (up 20 per cent), BEML (up 17.34 per cent) and BF Utilities (up 17.15 per cent) were the stocks that jumped over 15 per cent on the NSE.

9. Advance-decline ratio

According to provisional data, 1,382 stocks advanced, while 1,537 declined, and 59 remained unchanged on the NSE on Thursday.

10. Stock market outlook

According to Ajit Mishra, SVP of research at Religare Broking, the shift in the stance of foreign institutional investors (FIIs), coupled with strength in banking and financial majors and rotational support from other heavyweights, is sustaining the positive sentiment.

However, Mishra added that the news related to US tariffs triggers occasional volatility.

"Traders should look past the short-term choppiness during this consolidation phase and focus on selective stock opportunities," said Mishra.

Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, said the short-term sentiment may remain positive, potentially moving toward 23,800 if sustained above 23,600. On the downside, support is placed at 23,400, De said.

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