Sensex Today | Stock Market Highlights: The Sensex rose 329 points to close at 81,636 while the Nifty added 98 points, ending just shy of the 25,000 mark at 24,968, a level that continues to act as stiff resistance. The Nifty Bank, however, slipped 10 points to 55,139, while the Midcap index managed to gain 72 points, closing at 57,702.
Information technology stocks led the charge, with four of the top five Nifty gainers coming from the sector. Brokerages have turned positive on the space, lifting sentiment around heavyweights TCS, Infosys, HCL Technologies, and Wipro, all of which ended the session higher. Outside IT, Hero MotoCorp and IndusInd Bank gained between 1 and 2% despite their exclusion from the Nifty 50.
Consumption-linked names were in focus as investors bet on a possible GST cut ahead of the festive season, while capital market-linked stocks such as BSE and Angel One slipped 2-3%, dragging on the broader indices. Vodafone Idea extended its rally from Friday, rising another 5%. Among F&O-linked counters, PG Electroplast climbed over 3% and is likely to exit the ban list today, while IRB Infra and Jindal Stainless advanced 3% each ahead of their expected exclusion.
Paper stocks witnessed heavy buying interest after the government tightened certain import norms, sparking a sharp rally in the segment. Shares of TNPL, Malu Paper, West Coast Paper, and JK Paper jumped between 10 and 17%.
