The Equity benchmarks soared for the third consecutive session, with the BSE Sensex gaining 357.59 points to hit 69,653.73 and the NSE Nifty jumping over 82.60 points to close at 20,937.70. Energy stocks and IT shares played a significant role in this market’s euphoria.
Meanwhile, the Indian rupee made a move, appreciating by 5 paise to close at 83.32 against the US dollar. A bullish trend in domestic equities and consistent foreign fund inflows fueled this uptick.
Impact on the stock market
Sectorial performance
| Sector/Index | Performance |
| Information Technology | + 2.32% |
| Healthcare | – 0.53% |
| Oil & Gas | + 0.8% |
| Real Estate | – 0.25% |
| Banks | – 0.06% |
Top gainers today
| Company | Price | Change (%age) |
| Adani Total Gas Ltd. | ₹1053.30 | +19.98% |
| Adani Green Energy Ltd. | ₹1563.45 | +15.93% |
| Cochin Shipyard Ltd. | ₹1279.95 | +8.34% |
| Jyothy Labs Ltd. | ₹476.70 | +7.76% |
| TV18 Broadcast Ltd. | ₹56.20 | +7.66% |
Top losers today
| Company | Price | Change (%age) |
| Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd. | ₹431.80 | -7.31% |
| Embassy Office Parks REIT | ₹297.09 | -6.20% |
| Can Fin Homes Ltd. | ₹788.75 | -5.74% |
| General Insurance Corporation of India | ₹293.90 | -4.25% |
| Shriram Properties Ltd. | ₹122.80 | -3.64% |
Market aftermath: Impact on stocks
LIC shines amidst market buzz: 25% surge in 15 days
LIC’s stocks are soaring, witnessing an impressive 25% surge in the last 15 days and closing at ₹746 on the NSE, marking a 4.5% climb. The bullish momentum, fueled by positive news and robust financial performance, brings LIC close to its 52-week high of ₹754.25 from December 2022.
Notably, LIC is now the world’s fourth-largest insurer, reporting a record first half of the financial year 2023-24 (H1 FY24) net profit of ₹17,469 crore. Despite this surge, the stock remains notably below its IPO price of ₹949.
Hero Motocorp and Ather Energy’s EV charging venture
Hero Motocorp and Ather Energy joined forces for an interoperable fast-charging network, aiming to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. However, the market didn’t cheer too loudly, with Hero Motocorp’s stock taking a 1.73% hit.
Oil markets fluctuate
Crude oil futures dipped below $78 per barrel as the US witnessed a rise in crude oil inventories. Concurrently, China, a significant global consumer of crude oil, faced a Moody’s downgrade, shifting its rating from stable to negative.
On Wednesday, February Brent oil futures stood at $77.30, with a 0.13% increase, while January WTI futures were at $72.38, up by 0.08%. On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), December crude oil futures traded at ₹6057, a 0.38% decrease, and January futures at ₹6104, down by 0.41% from the previous close.
Conclusion
In the unpredictable world of finance, where defaults and approvals share the stage, staying informed is your superpower. Whether it’s partnering for electric dreams or facing defaults head-on, the market is a playground of opportunities and risks.
So, buckle up, stay wise, and ride the financial rollercoaster with a smile!
