India’s benchmark indices, the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50, closed sharply higher on Tuesday, April 21, driven by optimism around potential US-Iran peace talks and easing crude oil prices, which boosted investor risk appetite.

Key Highlights

• Sensex jumps 753 points, Nifty rises 0.87% as US-Iran peace hopes lift sentiment.
• Banking, FMCG stocks lead rally as easing crude oil prices boost investor risk appetite.

The Sensex surged 753 points, or 0.96%, to settle at 79,273.33, while the Nifty 50 climbed 212 points, or 0.87%, to close at 24,576.60, marking the third consecutive session of gains.

Broader markets, however, showed relatively muted performance. The Nifty Midcap 100 rose 0.49%, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 gained 0.88%, indicating selective participation beyond large-cap stocks.

Investor wealth saw a notable boost, with the total market capitalization of BSE-listed companies increasing by nearly Rs 3 lakh crore in a single session to around Rs 469 lakh crore.

Among the top performers in the Nifty 50 were Nestlé India, Hindustan Unilever, and Trent, while SBI Life Insurance, Bharat Electronics, and Jio Financial Services ended as laggards.

Sectorally, banking and consumption-driven stocks led the rally. The Nifty Bank index gained 1.39%, while FMCG and realty sectors jumped 2.55% and 2.14%, respectively. On the downside, pharma and consumer durables indices saw marginal declines.

Also Read: Sensex and Nifty Close Flat with Marginal Gains Amid Global Tensions

The rally was largely supported by improving global cues, particularly expectations of de-escalation in the Middle East. Cooling crude oil prices helped ease inflation concerns for India, a major oil importer, thereby improving overall market sentiment.

Market experts noted that optimism around diplomatic progress between the US and Iran, along with supportive corporate earnings, played a key role in driving the upward momentum. However, investors are expected to remain cautious in the near term, closely tracking geopolitical developments, crude oil trends, and ongoing Q4 earnings announcements.