Sensex Jumps 700 Points, Nifty Reclaims 26,000 as IT Stocks Lead Rally

Mumbai: Indian equity markets opened strong on Thursday, with benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty surging amid firm buying in IT stocks.

The Sensex jumped 727.81 points to 85,154.15, while the Nifty 50 reclaimed the 26,000 mark, opening 188.6 points higher at 26,057.20.

Leading gainers included Infosys, HCLTech, and Tech Mahindra, while Bajaj Finserv, Maruti, and Power Grid lagged.

Sectorally, Nifty IT was the top performer, up 1.84%, while Nifty Realty slipped 0.08%. Broader indices also traded higher, with Nifty MidCap 100 up 0.44% and SmallCap 100 gaining 0.33%.

Analysts attributed the rally to renewed investor optimism and reports of a potential India–U.S. trade deal, which lifted sentiment.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net buyers, adding Rs 96 crore worth of equities on October 21, marking their fifth straight session of inflows.