Closing Bell: Nifty Closes Higher as Financials Surge on Strong Q1 Earnings | 31 Jul 2026, 03:45 PM IST
By ThePip Desk
The Nifty 50 ended Friday’s session higher at 24377.90, up 0.25%. Strong Q1 earnings from key financial players like Bajaj Finance and Jio Financial Services drove market sentiment.
The Indian equity markets concluded Friday’s trading session on a positive note, with benchmark indices registering gains across the board. The Nifty 50 advanced by 60.75 points to close at 24377.90, marking a +0.25% rise. Market breadth strongly favoured advances, with 31 out of 50 Nifty constituents closing in the green, indicating a broad-based positive sentiment across frontline stocks. The Nifty Bank also saw an uptick, closing at 57256.85, up +0.19%, reflecting strength in the banking and financial space. Midcap stocks notably outperformed their larger counterparts, with the NIFTY Midcap 100 index rising a robust +0.42% to settle at 62907.15, underscoring investor interest in broader market segments.
Index Performance Overview
| Name | Close | Change | Change% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | 24377.90 | +60.75 | +0.25% |
| Nifty Bank | 57256.85 | +109.35 | +0.19% |
| NIFTY Midcap 100 | 62907.15 | +265.40 | +0.42% |
Financials Lead Gains on Robust Q1 Results
The financial services sector emerged as the top performer of the day, surging +1.62%. This strong showing was primarily driven by stellar Q1FY27 earnings reports from major non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). Bajaj Finance Ltd. witnessed a significant jump of +8.24% after reporting a 27% rise in its Q1 consolidated net profit, with total consolidated income increasing by 19.56% to Rs 23,166.42 crore. Similarly, Jio Financial Services Ltd. soared +3.84% following a more than two-fold jump in its Q1 consolidated net profit, as its total consolidated income surged 223.59% to Rs 2,004.54 crore. The positive momentum was not limited to financials; other key sectors also contributed to the market’s upward trajectory. The Auto sector gained +1.29%, followed by Metals which advanced +0.70%. Energy stocks rose +0.45%, and the FMCG sector posted a modest gain of +0.18%.
IT and Healthcare Sectors Face Headwinds
Conversely, the Information Technology (IT) sector experienced a notable downturn, declining −1.06%, with major players like Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. (TCS) and Infosys Ltd. (INFY) among the top losers. TCS fell −2.71%, while Infosys was down −2.07%, indicating pressure on the tech front. The Healthcare sector also underperformed significantly, shedding −1.59%, with Max Healthcare Institute Ltd. (MAXHEALTH) declining −2.13%, reflecting broader weakness in the segment.
Top Movers on Nifty 50
Here’s a detailed look at the top performing and underperforming stocks within the Nifty 50 during today’s session:
Top Gainers
| Stock | Close (₹) | Change% |
|---|---|---|
| Bajaj Finance Ltd. (BAJFINANCE) | 1140.3 | +8.24% |
| Bajaj Finserv Ltd. (BAJAJFINSV) | 2034 | +6.53% |
| JIO Financial Services Ltd. (JIOFIN) | 256.44 | +3.84% |
| Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) | 3394.7 | +3.38% |
| Shriram Finance Ltd. (SHRIRAMFIN) | 1048.7 | +2.09% |
| Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (ADANIPORTS) | 1695.1 | +1.86% |
| Tata Steel Ltd. (TATASTEEL) | 190 | +1.65% |
Top Losers
| Stock | Close (₹) | Change% |
|---|---|---|
| Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. (TCS) | 2366 | −2.71% |
| Eternal Ltd. (ETERNAL) | 302.8 | −2.53% |
| Max Healthcare Institute Ltd. (MAXHEALTH) | 1100.8 | −2.13% |
| Infosys Ltd. (INFY) | 1131.2 | −2.07% |
| ITC Ltd. (ITC) | 280.9 | −1.46% |
| Wipro Ltd. (WIPRO) | 183.71 | −1.41% |
| Adani Enterprises Ltd. (ADANIENT) | 3006.3 | −1.40% |
Institutional Activity
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net buyers in the Indian markets today, injecting a substantial +3623.51 crore. This consistent inflow suggests sustained foreign interest in Indian equities. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), however, were net sellers, offloading −1864.03 crore during the session, partially offsetting the FII buying.
Ahead of Tomorrow
As the trading week concludes, investors will closely monitor global market cues and any further corporate announcements that may emerge over the weekend. The sustained FII inflows suggest continued foreign interest, while sector-specific movements driven by earnings will likely dictate short-term trends as the market looks towards the next trading session.