Sensex @ 84k: With 1,359 pts gain, benchmark index settles above historic mark

In a landmark moment for Indian equities, the benchmark Sensex surged past the 84,000 mark for the first time, closing at a record high of 84,544.31 on Friday. This impressive rally, fueled by gains in frontline bank stocks and positive global trends, signals a buoyant sentiment in both domestic and international markets.

The Sensex climbed 1,359.51 points, or 1.63%, while the NSE Nifty followed suit, gaining 375.15 points or 1.48%, closing at a record 25,790.95. The intra-day highs saw the Sensex touching 84,694.46 and the Nifty peaking at 25,849.25. Mahindra & Mahindra led the rally with a gain of over 5%, while other top performers included ICICI Bank, JSW Steel, Larsen & Toubro, and Nestlé.

Top gainers and losers

While the overall market was in an uptrend, sectoral performances varied. Nifty Auto, Metal, Real Estate, Power, Capital Goods, FMCG, Consumer Durables, and Bank Nifty saw minor gains. However, sectors like IT, Telecom, Oil & Gas, and Pharma lagged behind. Notably, Nifty IT emerged as the top sectoral loser, with a drop of over 3%, weighed down by losses in major IT firms such as TCS, which fell 5.1%.

Within the Nifty, ICICI Bank led the gains with a 7.8% surge, followed by Mahindra & Mahindra (+7.4%) and Nestlé (+6.5%). On the losing end, TCS (-5.1%), Grasim Industries (-4.1%), and BPCL (-2.8%) faced pressure.

Foreign and domestic institutional investors were net buyers, providing further momentum to the market. The Volatility Index, India VIX, rose by 2.24%, signaling a slight uptick in market uncertainty but not enough to dampen the bullish sentiment.

Global cues propelling the bull run

Analysts attribute the rally to a combination of domestic strength and global optimism, particularly the recent 50 basis points rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve. The Fed’s highly accommodative monetary policy has reignited confidence in global markets, with foreign inflows expected to increase, bolstering Indian equities in the short to medium term.

Asian markets, including Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, all closed in the green, adding to the positive momentum. In contrast, European equity markets showed some weakness, while the U.S. markets continued their upward trend, with the Dow and S&P 500 reaching new highs.

"The U.S. markets, led by the Dow and S&P 500, setting record highs is a testament to the ongoing global bull run. Indian markets are benefiting from this, as global liquidity and optimism remain strong," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

"Unemployment data, along with the Fed’s half-point rate cut has bolster investors’ sentiment in the US. Initial jobless claims, which came in at 219,000 for the week of Sept. 14, were lower than expected and showed a decline from the prior week. In Europe, investors digested a slew of central bank rate decisions this week and their impact on the global economy," says Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities.

Bullish momentum intact, but caution ahead

From a technical perspective, the Sensex and Nifty are showing strong bullish momentum. The Nifty closed above the key resistance of 25,600, signaling further upside potential toward the 25,900-26,000 range. However, traders should keep an eye on the short-term profit booking, as indicated by the formation of a Shooting Star-like candlestick pattern near the index’s all-time high.

Immediate support for the Nifty stands at 25,500, with additional support levels at 25,300 and 25,120, according to technical analysts. As long as the Nifty remains above 25,600, a "Buy on Dips" strategy is advisable for traders. However, if it falls below 25,620, a "Sell on Rise" approach might be more prudent.

"The recent surge in major indices, particularly the high beta index BankNifty, indicates a favorable shift in market dynamics. It is recommended to capitalize on the upward momentum by taking profits, rather than adopting an aggressive stance in the overbought territory," says Osho Krishan, Senior Analyst - Technical & Derivatives, Angel One Ltd.

What's next for the markets?

As markets head into uncharted territory, the focus will shift to key macroeconomic indicators, including inflation, geopolitical concerns, and global economic trends. While the current rally is underpinned by strong global cues and positive domestic sentiment, market participants are advised to remain cautious in the face of potential volatility.

Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, emphasized the need for a balanced approach: “While the 50 bps Fed rate cut is undoubtedly positive, markets should remain mindful of evolving global conditions. In the short term, foreign inflows will boost the market, but longer-term prospects depend on the global economic landscape.”

As the market rally continues, the challenge will be to maintain momentum while navigating potential headwinds, including global oil price fluctuations—Brent crude settled slightly lower at USD 74.71 per barrel, a dip of 0.23%.

With the Sensex and Nifty scaling new heights, the mood on Dalal Street remains optimistic, driven by a combination of domestic strength and global tailwinds. But as always, market participants should keep their strategies flexible and be prepared for any shifts in sentiment.

(With inputs from PTI)

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