Mumbai, India – March 17, 2026
Indian benchmark indices closed higher for the second consecutive session on Tuesday, supported by gains in metal and auto stocks alongside positive global market cues. However, the Indian rupee weakened further, hitting a record low against the US dollar.
The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 567.99 points (0.75%) to settle at 76,070.84, while the NSE Nifty 50 rose 172.35 points (0.74%) to close at 23,581.15.
During intraday trade, the Sensex surged as much as 801.41 points, reaching a high of 76,304.26, reflecting strong buying interest across key sectors.
Market Drivers
The rally was primarily driven by gains in metal and automobile stocks, supported by positive sentiment in global markets. Analysts noted that improved risk appetite among investors contributed to the sustained upward momentum.
Meanwhile, the Indian rupee weakened by 12 paise, closing at a record low of 92.40 against the US dollar, highlighting ongoing pressure from external factors.
Top Gainers and Losers
Among the Sensex constituents, Eternal emerged as the top gainer with a 5.70% surge. Other major gainers included:
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Tata Steel
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Mahindra & Mahindra
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Bharat Electronics
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Larsen & Toubro
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Bharti Airtel
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Maruti Suzuki
On the downside, key laggards were:
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Infosys
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Bajaj Finance
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ITC
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Tata Consultancy Services
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HCL Technologies
Global Market Cues
Asian markets showed mixed trends. South Korea’s Kospi index rose 1.63%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng ended slightly higher. However, Japan’s Nikkei 225 and China’s Shanghai Composite closed lower.
European markets traded in positive territory, and US markets had ended higher in the previous session, providing supportive cues to domestic equities.
