Indian benchmarks are trading flat in the volatile session on February 18. Among sectors, the Nifty Metal index advanced 0.87 per cent, the Nifty PSU Bank index gained 1 per cent, and the Nifty FMCG added 0.28 per cent.
On the corporate front, share price of Apar Industries regained the ₹10,000 mark, as the stock hit a 52-week high of ₹10,416.95 after the company announced its entry into the telecom service business. Share price of HEG moved higher by 7 per cent to ₹559.70 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in Wednesday’s intra-day trade.
Meanwhile, oil prices remain under pressure as progress in U.S.–Iran nuclear talks reduces the geopolitical risk premium, while traders stay cautious ahead of key U.S. economic data and lingering concerns about the AI outlook.
At 14:42 hours, the 30-share benchmark index was trading at 83599.68 up by 148.72 points or by 0.18 % and then NSE Nifty was at 25785.2 up by 59.8 points or by 0.23 %.
Sensex touched intraday high of 83661.68 and intraday low of 83163.62 The NSE Nifty touched intraday high of 25792.85 and intraday low of 25645.15.
Among the sectors, FMCG index was at 19206.62 up by 198.82 points or by 1.05%. Godfrey Phillips India Ltd. (Rs. 2470.20,+19.46%), Kwality Wall's (India) Ltd. (Rs. 29.44,+4.99%), HMA Agro Industries Ltd. (Rs. 28.52,+3.07%), ADF Foods Ltd. (Rs. 229.20,+2.71%), Marico Ltd. (Rs. 794.95,+2.67%),.
On the other side, IT index was at 31581.55 down by -398.73 points or by -1.25%. RateGain Travel Technologies Ltd. (Rs. 561.80,-3.01%), InfoBeans Technologies Ltd. (Rs. 899.00,-2.85%), Birlasoft Ltd. (Rs. 375.35,-2.62%), Affle 3I Ltd. (Rs. 1522.80,-2.41%), Expleo Solutions Ltd. (Rs. 831.70,-2.39%),.
The Market breadth, indicating the overall strength of the market, was weak. On BSE out of total shares traded 4488 , shares advanced were 2264 while 2016 shares declined and 208 were unchanged.