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Key gauges regain traction in morning deals
Sep-16-2026

Indian equity benchmarks regained traction and were trading higher with around half a percent gain in morning deals, led by buying in FMCG, Banking and Energy stocks. Traders took support with the commerce ministry’s data showing that India’s merchandise exports rose by 26.10 per cent to $43.81 billion in August 2026 as compared to $34.74 billion in August 2025, driven by a jump in petroleum product shipments. The growth in exports in August was the highest since June 2022, when shipments had risen 30.12 per cent. Some support also came as Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data showed that the overall unemployment rate (UR) among persons aged 15 years and above dropped slightly to 5 per cent in August. On the global front, Asian markets are trading mostly in green despite the broadly negative cues from Wall Street overnight, ahead of the US Fed's monetary policy decision later in the day. 

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 74368.81, up by 364.99 points or 0.49% after trading in a range of 73981.33 and 74505.86. There were 21 stocks advancing against 9 stocks declining on the index.

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were FMCG up by 0.90%, Bankex up by 0.63%, Energy up by 0.57%, Consumer Durables up by 0.42% and Auto up by 0.31%, while Telecom down by 0.83%, Industrials down by 0.82%, Healthcare down by 0.69%, Power down by 0.47% and Capital Goods down by 0.44% were the top losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were Mahindra & Mahindra up by 2.17%, HCL Technologies up by 1.97%, ITC up by 1.55%, Axis Bank up by 1.49% and State Bank of India up by 1.23%. On the flip side, Tata Steel down by 0.98%, NTPC down by 0.83%, TCS down by 0.67%, Larsen & Toubro down by 0.56% and Interglobe Aviation down by 0.48% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the India-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA) is expected to take effect by late next month, with official dates to be announced shortly. The two countries signed the free trade agreement on April 27 to boost two-way commerce in goods and services and promote investment.

The free trade agreement provides duty-free access for 100 per cent of India’s exports to New Zealand. He stated ‘We are expecting that the agreement will get operationalised in the latter half of October 2026. The exact date for the same will be announced soon…Because both sides have to completely take stock of the operationalisation processes and procedures.’

New Zealand currently levies peak tariffs of as much as 10 per cent on key Indian goods, including ceramics, carpets, automobiles, and auto components. New Zealand has committed to invest $20 billion in India over 15 years.

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 23245.20, up by 126.60 points or 0.55% after trading in a range of 23116.10 and 23281.15. There were 36 stocks advancing against 14 stocks declining on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were Mahindra & Mahindra up by 2.12%, Axis Bank up by 1.95%, Tata Consumer Products up by 1.76%, State Bank of India up by 1.71% and ITC up by 1.63%. On the flip side, TCS down by 0.96%, Wipro down by 0.80%, Tata Steel down by 0.77%, Tata Motors Passenger down by 0.71% and NTPC down by 0.56% were the top losers. 

Asian markets are trading mostly in green; Nikkei 225 surged 159.9 points or 0.25% to 63,644.00, Taiwan Weighted added 240.79 points or 0.53% to 45,752.28, Jakarta Composite gained 21.23 points or 0.33% to 6,482.38, Shanghai Composite strengthened 17.89 points or 0.46% to 3,882.17, KOSPI increased 49.69 points or 0.74% to 6,676.95 and Straits Times rose 9.94 points or 0.18% to 5,648.58.

On the flip side, Hang Seng declined 5.24 points or 0.02% to 24,662.00.
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