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Indices maintain gains in late morning deals
Sep-16-2026

Domestic equity indices maintained their gains in late morning deals on account of buying by funds and retail investors. Positive cues from other Asian markets also supported domestic market sentiment. Sentiments got boost as 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. However, upside remained capped as traders were cautious and seemed reluctant to make more significant moves ahead of the US Fed's monetary policy decision later in the day.

Both Sensex and Nifty traded higher by around half percent, supported by buying in stocks such as Reliance Industries, Axis Bank, ITC and Hindustan Unilever. On the BSE sectoral front, traders were seen building positions in FMCG, Realty, Energy, Metal and Auto stocks, while selling pressure was witnessed in the Telecom, IT, TECK, Healthcare and Industrials sectors. On the global front, Asian markets were trading in green despite weak cues from the US markets overnight.  

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 74329.65, up by 325.83 points or 0.44% 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 1.28%, Realty up by 0.88%, Energy up by 0.66%, Metal up by 0.63% and Auto up by 0.61%, while Telecom down by 0.97%, IT down by 0.67%, TECK down by 0.49%, Healthcare down by 0.30% and Industrials down by 0.29% were the top losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were Axis Bank up by 2.11%, Mahindra & Mahindra up by 2.01%, HCL Technologies up by 1.91%, Bharat Electronics up by 1.73% and Hindustan Unilever up by 1.67%. On the flip side, TCS down by 1.16%, Interglobe Aviation down by 0.76%, Eternal down by 0.68%, NTPC down by 0.59% and Bajaj Finserv down by 0.34% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, the commerce ministry in its latest data has showed 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. Merchandise imports grew by 14.05 per cent year-on-year to $70.67 billion in August 2026, up from $61.96 billion in August 2025. Meanwhile, India's gold imports dipped to $2.3 billion in August 2026, from $5.4 billion in August 2025, registering a decline of 57.7 per cent. A dip in gold imports helped narrow the trade deficit to a five-month low of $26.86 billion in August.

According to the data, merchandise exports during April-August 2026-27 were $215.91 billion as compared to $183.21 billion during April-August 2025-26. Merchandise imports during April-August 2026-27 were $363.00 billion as compared to $307.09 billion during April-August 2025-26. Merchandise trade deficit during April-August 2026-27 was $147.09 billion as compared to $123.88 billion during April-August 2025-26.   

Non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports in August 2026 were $34.68 billion compared to $28.26 billion in August 2025. Non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports in April-August 2026-27 were $168.69 billion, compared to $146.52 billion in April-August 2025-26. Non-petroleum, non-gems & jewellery (gold, silver & precious metals) imports in August 2026 were $49.22 billion compared to $41.39 billion in August 2025. Non-petroleum, non-gems & jewellery (gold, silver & precious metals) imports in April-August 2026-27 were $241.24 billion, compared to $202.34 billion in April-August 2025-26.   

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 23220.25, up by 101.65 points or 0.44% after trading in a range of 23116.10 and 23281.15. There were 35 stocks advancing against 15 stocks declining on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were Tata Consumer up by 2.34%, Mahindra & Mahindra up by 2.00%, Hindustan Unilever up by 1.81%, HDFC Life up by 1.79% and Axis Bank up by 1.73%. On the flip side, Wipro down by 1.49%, TCS down by 1.38%, Infosys down by 0.92%, Tata MotorsPassenger down by 0.87% and Interglobe Aviation down by 0.73% were the top losers.

All Asian markets were trading higher; Nikkei 225 surged 249.9 points or 0.39% to 63,734.00, Taiwan Weighted added 337.41 points or 0.74% to 45,848.90, Jakarta Composite gained 22.95 points or 0.35% to 6,484.10, Shanghai Composite strengthened 22.98 points or 0.59% to 3,887.26, KOSPI increased 52.93 points or 0.8% to 6,680.19, Hang Seng advanced 20.76 points or 0.08% to 24,688.00 and Straits Times rose 0.1 points or 0% to 5,638.74. 

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