Sensex ends 126 pts higher, Nifty atop 18200; HDFC Life soars 4%, TCS 1%

CLOSING BELL

The domestic markets closed higher for the second consecutive day in 2023, supported by strong quarterly updates posted by financial names and solid loan growth.

While the benchmark index Nifty50 recouped intra-day's losses to close above 18,200 levels, after hitting a low of 18,149; the S&P BSE Sensex reversed over 250 points from day's low of 61,004 to close at 61,294 levels.

Broader markets, meanwhile, outperformed benchmark indices as Nifty MidCap 100 and Nifty SmallCap 100 indices surged up to 0.2 per cent. India VIX, the volatility gauge, on the other hand, slipped over 2 per cent.

That apart, all sectors shifted between gains and losses in Tuesday's trade. Nifty Bank, Nifty Pharma, Nifty IT indices closed in positive territory, surging up to 0.7 per cent. However, Nifty Auto, Nifty Metal, Nifty FMCG, and Nifty Media indices declined up to 0.7 per cent.

GLOBAL MARKETS

Globally, the US equity futures inched higher on Tuesday ahead of a flurry of macro-economic data. Dow Jones Futures, NASDAQ Futures, and the S&P 500 Futures increased up to 1 per cent.

European markets, too, edged higher in trade as China's re-opening boosted travel stocks. Stoxx 600, FTSE 100, DAX, CAC 40 indices rose up to 2 per cent.