Indian Stocks Mixed: Sensex Edges Up 0.03% Amid Global Cues

Indian markets experienced a recovery during early afternoon trading, though indices displayed a mixed trend. Traders remained cautious due to renewed Middle East tensions and a recent spike in crude oil prices, which fueled inflation concerns.

However, tame US consumer price data helped alleviate worries about the interest rate outlook, as inflation aligned with estimates. The Sensex traded in positive territory, driven by investor interest in select heavyweight stocks.

The BSE Sensex currently stands at 77990.08, marking an increase of 23.73 points or 0.03%. It traded within a range of 77665.89 and 78119.39 during the session.

Conversely, the Nifty remained below the neutral line despite its recovery, influenced by foreign outflows and persistent global uncertainty. On the global front, Asian markets showed mixed performance.

Producer prices in Japan recorded a 7.2 percent year-on-year increase in July. This figure was slightly below expectations of a 7.4 percent rise and down from the upwardly revised 7.3 percent gain observed in June.

Within the Sensex index, 17 stocks advanced, 12 declined, and 1 stock remained unchanged. Sectoral performance on the BSE reflected this divergence.

Top gaining sectoral indices included Telecom, up by 1.41%, Realty, up by 1.35%, Industrials, up by 0.65%, FMCG, up by 0.58%, and TECK, up by 0.54%. Conversely, Metal declined by 1.01%, Basic Materials by 0.63%, Energy by 0.31%, Bankex by 0.19%, and Consumer Durables by 0.18%.

Leading individual stock gainers on the Sensex were Eternal, rising 1.84%, Interglobe Aviation, up 1.78%, Bharat Electronics, gaining 1.67%, Tech Mahindra, increasing 1.43%, and Larsen & Toubro, advancing 1.34%.

Among the top losers were Titan Company, down 1.52%, Ultratech Cement, falling 1.39%, ICICI Bank, losing 0.97%, Adani Ports & SEZ, down 0.95%, and Reliance Industries, also down 0.95%.

RBI Proposes Harmonised Interest Rate Framework

In a separate development, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued draft rules for harmonised interest rate determination. This initiative aims to align policies between Banks and non-banking finance companies (NBFCs).

Currently, the regulatory framework for interest rates on advances primarily applies to commercial banks, while NBFCs operate largely under conduct-related aspects. The RBI has proposed a broad, principles-based framework to standardize interest rate determination for both fixed and floating rate loans.

These directions, named ‘Reserve Bank of India (Interest Rates on Loans and Advances) Directions, 2026’, are slated to take effect from April 1, 2027. The new regulations will specifically apply to the domestic operations of regulated entities.