Sensex, Nifty End Higher But 13,000 Remains Elusive

Indian equity markets ended the first session of the November F&O expiry week with gains, even as banking stocks underperformed in a volatile session.

The S&P BSE Sensex ended 0.4% higher at 44,077 while the NSE Nifty 50 index ended 0.5% higher at 12,926. The index is now 74 points away from hitting the mark of 13,000.

Banks were the underperformers in today's session as investors chose to place their bets in the defensive sectors like I.T. and Pharma, both of whom underperformed last week.

However, some financial names outperformed in today's session. Shares of IDFC Ltd. ended 20% higher - their biggest single-day gain since 2009 while IDFC First Bank ended at the highest since March this year. Ujjivan Financial Services gained the most since listing in 2016, ending 18% higher while Ujjivan Small Finance Bank ended 20% higher - the most in over four months.

The Nifty Bank index ended 0.7% lower while the PSU Bank index ended 0.2% lower.

The Nifty I.T. index was the top sectoral gainer, ending 2.8% higher while the Nifty Pharma index was up 1.8% at the close of trade.

The Nifty Metal and Nifty Realty indices too gained 1% each.

Broader markets outperformed in today's session. The Midcap index ended with gains of 1.3% while the Smallcap index outperformed even further, ending with gains of 2.1%.

India Volatility Index was back above the mark of 20 after six trading sessions, ending 6.1% higher at 20.81.

1,082 stocks on the NSE ended with gains while 784 stocks declined.

• Gains as much as 12.2% to Rs 196.2
• Trades at the highest level since February 2001
• Up for the fifth straight day
• Longest winning streak in four months
• Has gained 30% in the last five trading sessions
• Today's volumes are 84% higher than its 20-day average
• Stock in overbought territory with Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 86
• All three analysts tracking the stock have a buy recommendation
• The stock trades 10.2% higher than its 12-month consensus price target of Rs 165, implying a negative return potential

• Reliance Industries' 2,000 Call: Premium up 42.9% to Rs 18.65. The contract has shed 24,240 shares in Open Interest.
• IndusInd Bank's 900 Call: Premium up 250% to Rs 18.55. The contract has added 6.2 lakh shares in Open Interest.
• Bajaj Finance's 4,800 Call: Premium up 33% to Rs 98.5. The contract has shed 35,000 shares in Open Interest

• Benchmark indices gain momentum; trade near day's high
• Nifty up 0.8% at 12,956
• Sensex up 0.7% at 44,191
• Nifty Bank up 0.4% at 29,341
• Nifty Midcap index up 1.1%
• Nifty Smallcap index up 2%
• India Volatility Index up 5.4% to 20.7
• Nifty I.T. index is the top sectoral gainer; up 2.4%
• Nifty Pharma is the other sectoral gainer; up 2%
• Nifty Realty up 1.6% while Nifty Metal index up 1.3%
• IndusInd Bank extends gains as the top Nifty gainer; up 6.4%
• HDFC remains the top Nifty laggard; down 3.1%
• 1,119 stocks on the NSE are trading with gains while 729 stocks decline

• Benchmark indices trade in a range after cooling off from day's high
• Nifty up 0.2% at 12,888
• Sensex up 0.15% at 43,946
• Nifty Bank down 0.7% at 29,025
• Nifty Midcap index up 1.3%
• Nifty Smallcap index up 1.9%
• India Volatility Index up 5.7% to 20.73
• Nifty Pharma is the top sectoral gainer; up 2.5%
• Nifty I.T. is the other sectoral gainer; up 1.9%
• Nifty Realty, Nifty Media and Nifty Metal up 0.7% each
• IndusInd Bank remains the top Nifty gainer; up 4.4%
• HDFC is the top Nifty laggard; down 3.9%
• 1,100 stocks on the NSE are trading with gains while 705 are declining

• Benchmark indices give up early gains to trade little changed
• Nifty unchanged at 12,855
• Sensex down 30 points at 43,852
• Nifty Bank down 1% at 28,956
• Nifty Midcap index up 0.7%
• Nifty Smallcap index up 1.2%
• India Volatility Index up 1.2% to 19.86
• Nifty Pharma is the top sectoral gainer; up 1.4%
• Nifty Metal is the other major sectoral gainer; up 1.1%
• Nifty PSU Bank index is the other major sectoral laggard; down 0.5%
• Divi's Laboratories is the top Nifty gainer; up 3.1%
• HDFC is the top Nifty laggard; down 2%
• 996 stocks on the NSE are trading with gains while 711 are declining

Indian equity markets have opened higher for the second straight day, making a move towards fresh record highs.

The S&P BSE Sensex opened 0.6% higher at 44,164 while the NSE Nifty 50 index opened 0.8% higher and 40 points shy of 13,000 at 12,960.

Among the sectoral indices, the PSU Bank index has opened with gains of 0.8% while the Nifty Bank, Nifty Auto and Nifty Realty indices are trading with gains of 0.7% each.

Broader markets have opened with strong gains as well. The Nifty Midcap index is up 0.8% while the Smallcap index is outperforming with gains of over 1.2%.

1,162 stocks on the NSE are trading with gains while 316 stocks are declining in the early minutes of trade.

Good Morning!

Indian equity markets managed to end the truncated week with modest gains. Both the Sensex and Nifty 50 managed to advance for the third straight week.

Futures are indicating that the new week may begin on a steady note. The Singapore-traded SGX Nifty, an early indicator of the Nifty 50 Index’s performance in India, rose 0.4% to 12,932 as of 8:15 a.m. on Monday.

Private banks will be in focus after the RBI's internal working group recommendations. Also, Motherson Sumi and Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. will be in focus based on news flow around the companies.

In the F&O space, the 13,000 call option of the Nifty for the monthly expiry has 36 lakh shares in open interest. Among stocks in the F&O ban, Nalco is the new entrant to the list, while SAIL and Sun TV are out.

Among Asian equities, benchmarks in South Korea are outperforming and those in Australia are trading with gains. Japanese markets are shut due to a holiday.

Futures on the Dow Jones are currently trading higher by 80 points. The index ended 0.7% lower on Friday.

West Texas Intermediate crude was little changed at $42.4 per barrel.

Short on time? Well, then listen to this podcast for a quick summary of All You Need To Know before the opening bell.