NTPC, Sun Pharma, Power Grid, UltraTech Cement and Bharti Airtel were the laggards. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed nearly 2% higher on Wednesday (April 1, 2026), in tandem with a sharp rally in global markets on hopes of a potential de-escalation in the ongoing West Asia conflict.
Starting the new fiscal year on a high note, the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 1,186.77 points or 1.65% to settle at 73,134.32. During the day, it surged 2,017.03 points or 2.80% to 73,964.58.
The 50-share NSE Nifty climbed 348 points or 1.56% to end at 22,679.40.
A drop in crude oil prices also boosted the market sentiment.
From the 30-Sensex firms, Trent, InterGlobe Aviation, Adani Ports, Bharat Electronics, State Bank of India and Eternal emerged as the major gainers.
NTPC, Sun Pharma, Power Grid, UltraTech Cement and Bharti Airtel were the laggards.
In Asian markets, South Korea’s benchmark Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index, Shanghai’s SSE Composite index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index ended sharply higher. Kospi jumped 8.44%, while Nikkei 225 index climbed 5.24%.
Markets in Europe were trading in positive territory.
“Indian equity markets opened the new financial year on a positive note, with stocks soaring on fresh optimism surrounding a potential de-escalation of the Middle East conflict and easing of energy supply disruptions,” Ponmudi R., CEO of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth tech firm, said.
President Trump’s remarks that the U.S. could withdraw from Iran “whether we have a deal or not” within the next two to three weeks provided the catalyst markets had been waiting for, delivering a broad wave of relief across global risk assets, Ponmudi added.
“Indian equity markets opened FY27 on a strong note, driven by improving risk appetite following U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks hinting at a potential resolution to the West Asia conflict,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, declined 0.22% to $103.7 per barrel.
Stock markets were closed on Tuesday (March 31) for Shri Mahavir Jayanti.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹11,163.06 crore on Monday (March 30), according to exchange data. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), however, bought stocks worth ₹14,894.72 crore.
On Monday (March 30), the Sensex tumbled 1,635.67 points or 2.22% to settle at 71,947.55. The Nifty slumped 488.20 points or 2.14% to end at 22,331.40.
Published – April 01, 2026 04:59 pm IST
