Mkts spring back to life with best weekly gains since 2021

Sensex rose 2% on Thursday by renewed risk-on sentiment after trade talks progress

- SUNDAR SETHURAMAN

Indian equity benchmarks rose nearly 2 per cent on Thursday, capping a truncated trading week with their strongest weekly performance in over four years.

The rally was sparked by renewed risk-on sentiment following progress in trade negotiations and expanded tariff exemptions. Private banking stocks led the advance as deposit rate cuts lifted margin expectations, while foreign portfolio investor (FPI) buying reinforced the uptrend.

The Sensex closed at 78,553, up 1,509 points, or 1.96 per cent, while the Nifty settled at 23,852, rising 415 points, or 1.7 per cent. Both indices climbed 4.5 per cent during the week—their best showing since February 5, 2021.

The total market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms rose by ₹4.6 trillion to ₹419.6 trillion.