Indian equity markets snapped a three-session losing streak on Thursday, with the benchmark Sensex and Nifty closing marginally higher after cautious trading through most of the session. The 30-share BSE Sensex gained 138.36 points, or 0.19%, to settle at 74,902.59, while the 50-share NSE Nifty advanced 46.30 points, or 0.20%, to end at 23,477.80.

The recovery was driven by buying in select stocks, including HDFC Bank and Axis Bank, particularly toward the end of the session. Axis Bank gained 0.61%, while HDFC Bank rose 0.98% during Thursday’s trading. However, the overall market remained cautious, with investors keeping their exposure relatively low amid continuing uncertainty in global markets.

Trading remained largely range-bound for much of the regular session, with both benchmark indices fluctuating around the previous close. At 3.15 p.m., the Sensex was down 134.73 points and the Nifty had fallen 42.25 points, before buying during the closing auction helped the indices recover and finish in positive territory.

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The late-session recovery came despite continued pressure from rising crude oil prices and geopolitical concerns. Brent crude moved above $102 a barrel, raising concerns over inflation and economic growth in India, which depends heavily on imported oil. Investors were also monitoring upcoming US inflation data for indications about the direction of Federal Reserve policy.

Several stocks recorded notable movements during the session. Power Grid was among the leading gainers, rising 1.82%, while Tech Mahindra gained 1.14% and Bharti Airtel advanced 0.85%. On the other hand, Tata Steel declined 1.62%, IndiGo fell 1.27% and ICICI Bank slipped 1.01%, highlighting the mixed nature of the trading session.

Despite Thursday’s recovery, market sentiment remained cautious following the sharp declines recorded earlier in the week. The Sensex and Nifty have continued to face pressure from elevated crude prices, geopolitical uncertainty and concerns over the broader economic outlook. The modest gains on Thursday therefore provided some relief after three consecutive sessions of losses, but investors remained selective in their buying.

Also Read: Geopolitical Tensions, Crude Oil Prices Drag Sensex, Nifty Lower