Markets traded flat during mid-day trading on Thursday as investors processed ongoing geopolitical tensions and awaited key earnings results. The BSE Sensex inched up 45.91 points (0.06 per cent) to 80,792.69, while the Nifty50 slipped marginally by 11.25 points (-0.05 per cent) to 24,403.15 as of 12.30 pm.

The markets showed resilience after opening mixed following India’s military strikes on terror camps in Pakistan earlier in the day. Trading remains cautious ahead of upcoming earnings announcements from heavyweight companies and the Bank of England’s interest rate decision expected later today.

Among top gainers, auto major Tata Motors led the charge, rising 2.19 per cent to ₹695.20, followed by Titan at 1.75 per cent (₹3,397.20), HCL Technologies at 1.71 per cent (₹1,590.00), Trent at 1.51 per cent (₹5,312.00), and Adani Ports at 1.41 per cent (₹1,357.10).

On the losing side, Eternal dropped 3.12 per cent to ₹229.50, while Tata Consumer Products fell 2.98 per cent to ₹1,111.90. M&M (-1.95 per cent), ONGC (-1.86 per cent), and Cipla (-1.79 per cent) were also among significant decliners.

Broader market indicators showed positive sentiment, with 2,579 advances against 1,093 declines on the BSE. Forty-eight stocks hit 52-week highs while 43 touched 52-week lows. The market saw 152 stocks hitting upper circuits compared to 189 hitting lower circuits.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued their buying streak for the 15th consecutive session, turning net long on index futures for the first time since October 2023.

In global developments, the US Federal Reserve maintained interest rates at 4.25-4.50 per cent citing persistent inflation risks. Commenting on the Fed decision, Siddarth Bhamre, Head of Research at Asit C Mehta Investment Intermediates, noted: “Though sentiments have been pointing towards some slowdown, the FED would not be ready to blink before the impact of tariffs is seen in actual data on Jobs and inflation.”

Market experts continue to view the Nifty as range-bound between 24,200–24,450, with traders closely monitoring domestic earnings, geopolitical developments, and progress on the India-UK Free Trade Agreement for further direction.

Financial services stocks showed mild strength with the Nifty Financial Services index up 0.12 per cent at 26,196.25, while the Nifty Next 50 remained nearly flat at 64,125.50, down just 0.01 per cent.

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Published on May 8, 2025