Stock Market Today Highlights: Sensex ends 1,264 points up, Nifty above 24,200 amid hopes of US-Iran truce talks

Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said: Optimism around potential U.S.–Iran negotiations supported a broad-based market sentiment, driving oil prices below USD 100 as expectations of talks outweighed concerns over supply disruption. Despite a muted Q4 outlook, investors remain encouraged by attractive valuations and a relatively better FY27 earnings outlook, indicating that the rally could sustain momentum in the near term. The decline in India’s 10‑year bond yield and a drop in India VIX further signal stability. Sector‑wise, resilient demand expectations supported gains in the Power and Consumer Durables indices, while easing global risk sentiment enabled the IT index to outperform.

Broader markets also rejoiced and outperformed the barometer index. Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices closed 2.20% and 2.35%, respectively as against a 1.63% rise in the Nifty 50 index.

Among the key sectoral indices, all ended higher with Nifty IT leading the charge with a 2.84% increase. It had declined over 1% each in the last two trading sessions. Nifty Media and Nifty Realty also added over 2% each.

Among the Sensex pack of stocks, only three ended in the red and 27 closed higher. IndiGo emerged as the top performer, followed by Eternal and PowerGrid. On the other hand, Airtel, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank were the only losers.

BSE Sensex ended 1263.67 points or 1.64% higher amid across the board buying following optimism around peace hopes in West Asia, which pulled crude oil prices lower and lifted investor mood. The Nifty 50 index, meanwhile, closed at 24,231, up 389 points or 1.63%

The country's merchandise exports dropped 7.44 per cent to USD 38.92 billion in March, according to government data released on Wednesday.

Imports too dipped by 6.51 per cent to USD 59.59 billion last year from USD 63.75 billion recorded in the year-ago month, reflecting disruptions in major trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz due to the conflict in West Asia.

(Source: PTI)

US stock index futures were largely unchanged on Wednesday. At 05:00 a.m. ET, Dow e-minis and U.S. S&P 500 E-minis were flat, while Nasdaq 100 E-minis rose 35.5 points, or 0.14%.

The Board of Directors of Elecon Engineering has recommended the Final Dividend of ₹1.50/- (i.e. 150%) per Equity Share of Re. 1.00/- each for the financial year 2025-26.

Indian equities staged a strong recovery, with the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 advancing amid easing geopolitical tensions and softer crude oil prices. The primary catalyst was reduced anxiety around the Middle East situation, which led to a drop in oil, beneficial for India’s inflation outlook and current account balance. Supportive global market cues further lifted sentiment.

On the sectoral front, oil marketing companies, aviation, metals, and IT stocks outperformed, driven by lower cost pressures and a pickup in risk appetite. That said, uncertainty around foreign institutional investor flows persists, while potential earnings downgrades could limit valuation expansion.

Markets also remain highly reactive to movements in crude prices and geopolitical developments. In the near term, the outlook appears range-bound with a mild positive bias. A sustained uptrend will hinge on stable crude prices, resilient earnings performance, and continued strength in global market sentiment.

— Pranay Aggarwal, Director and CEO of Stoxkart

Paras Defence and Space Technologies Limited has signed an Agreement with Bandak Aviation Inc. DBA Northstar, USA to supply and support Northstar products such as air-to-air refueling systems & accessories along with associated services for Indian Armed Forces.

Amid this announcement, Paras Defence stock was trading higher on BSE at ₹766.50, up 8.6%.

India’s wholesale inflation rose to 3.88% in March — the highest in more than three years — breaking a six-month run of subdued readings through December 2025. Wholesale price inflation (WPI) stood at 2.05% in March 2025. Since July last year, wholesale prices had either contracted or grown by less than 1%. The trend began reversing in January, when inflation came in at 1.81% following two consecutive months of deflation in October and November. WPI inflation had risen further to 2.13% in February.

HG Infra Engineering share price jumped 19% after the company secured an order worth ₹519.33 crore from Mirzapur Thermal Energy Limited for civil and p-way works in Uttar Pradesh.

The scope of work includes execution of civil works such as earthwork, bridges, and station buildings, along with permanent way (p-way) works for railway infrastructure development at the 2x800 MW thermal power project in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. The project is expected to be completed within 18 months.

If gold prices sustain above $4,850 (~ ₹1,55,000) the next upside resistance would be $5,000 (~ ₹1,60,000). As suggested earlier, silver price has given a breakout above $76.50 (~ ₹2,44,000) yesterday, the next resistance would be $82 (~ ₹2,55,000) and $87 (~ ₹2,65,000) on continued strength, said Dr. Renisha Chainani, Head - Research at Augmont.

Hopes of resumption of US-Iran talks, Israel-Lebanon talks and crash in Brent crude by $10 dollars in two days augur well for the market in the near-term. The resilience of markets worldwide, despite the IMF’s warning about a global recession if the conflict prolongs, is an indication that the market is discounting an end to the conflict soon.

In the extremely volatile scenario through which markets have been moving, it is important that investors remain invested. The benefit from sharp rebounds in the market will be lost to investors who sell out and keep away from the market, said Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited.

In the near-term large caps are likely to stage a smart comeback, but may again face headwinds when FIIs resume selling. The excellent performance of South Korean and Taiwanese markets and the significant market momentum there might nudge FPIs to sell again in India. Sustained resilience in the near-term is likely to be in mid and small caps which will not come under the pressure of FPI selling, he added.

Shares of Fujiyama Power Systems jumped nearly 6% on Wednesday, April 15, bucking broader volatility and tracking positive trends in the domestic equity market. The rally came as benchmark indices BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 advanced, mirroring strength in global markets.

Defence stocks jumped up to 10% on Wednesday, led by strong buying across the Indian stock market today. The Nifty India Defence sector rallied as much as 2.5%, with all its constituents trading in the green.

MTAR Technologies emerged as the top gainer on the Nifty India Defence index, with over 10% rally. Paras Defence and Space Technologies, Data Patterns (India), AXISCADES Technologies and Mishra Dhatu Nigam rallied 3-5%.

Markets are entering a fragile equilibrium as macro risks intensify beneath the surface. With US debt crossing $39 trillion and interest payments now exceeding defense spending, the sustainability of fiscal policy is becoming a growing concern for global investors. At the same time, geopolitical tensions continue to influence inflation dynamics, keeping oil volatile with a potential range between $84 and $119 depending on the outcome of US–Iran negotiations, said Justin Khoo, Senior Market Analyst - APAC, VT Markets.

This uncertainty is clearly reflected across asset classes; the dollar index is struggling to find direction below the 99 zone, while EURUSD holds strength above 1.16 and GBPUSD eyes higher levels toward 1.35. Meanwhile, risk assets like the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Bitcoin are largely in a wait-and-watch mode, consolidating as markets look for clarity on both macro data and geopolitical developments.

Overall, the market is shifting from a liquidity-driven rally to a more cautious, data-dependent phase, where outcomes around inflation, debt sustainability, and geopolitical stability will dictate the next major move, he added.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected the Indian economy to grow faster than previously anticipated in 2026-2027. It expected India’s GDP growth to be 6.5% compared with its previous forecast of 6.4% in January, despite the US-Iran war-led crisis. The IMF cut its growth outlook to 3.1% real GDP growth for 2026, down 0.2 percentage point from its previous forecast in January.

Bitcoin price is trading near the $74,000 – $75,000 range, supported by renewed institutional participation and consistent accumulation by large holders. Notably, Strategy has accumulated over 19,000 BTC in just 10 days, highlighting aggressive buying by major players and reinforcing underlying demand in the market.

At the same time, inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs have picked up again, signalling growing institutional confidence and strengthening the broader market structure. This combination of whale accumulation and institutional demand is helping Bitcoin sustain higher levels despite macro uncertainty.

From a price action perspective, Bitcoin’s ability to hold above key support zones suggests that the current move is not just sentiment-driven but backed by real capital inflows. If this trend continues, the market structure points toward a potential continuation of the uptrend, with the $76,000 level emerging as the next key resistance in the near term, said Avinash Shekhar, Co-Founder & CEO, Pi42.

For investors, this phase reflects a transition where supply is gradually being absorbed by large participants, reducing selling pressure and creating a stronger base for the next leg higher, rather than indicating exhaustion at current levels, he added.

Bank Nifty index is currently facing resistance in the 56,800 – 57,000 range, which is likely to act as a key near-term hurdle. On the downside, the 56,000 – 55,800 zone (previous resistance turned support) is expected to provide immediate support, followed by a stronger base near the 55,500 level. Holding above these levels will be essential to maintain the current positive structure and sustain momentum, said Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money.

The outlook has turned positive, with sustained buying interest required to push the index higher, while maintaining above key support levels remains critical for continuation of the uptrend, he added.