Taking Stock: Sensex, Nifty extend gains on 3rd day; rupee sinks to fresh low

At close, the Sensex was up 633.29 points or 0.83 percent at 76,704.13, and the Nifty was up 196.65 points or 0.83 percent at 23,777.80.

• Sensex and Nifty rose 0.83 percent, extending rally for third day
• Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 outperformed, up 2% and 1.6%
• Rupee closed at record low of 92.63 against US dollar

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Indian benchmark indices extended their rally for a third consecutive session on March 18, with the Nifty went past 23,850 mark, intraday, supported by broad-based buying across most sectors and positive global cues.

At close, the Sensex was up 633.29 points or 0.83 percent at 76,704.13, and the Nifty was up 196.65 points or 0.83 percent at 23,777.80.

Broader markets outperformed the benchmark indices, with the Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices gaining 2 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively.

The rupee has registered a sharp fall against the US dollar breaching the 92.50 mark for the first time, finishing at record closing low at 92.63.

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Except FMCG and metal, all other sectoral indices ended higher with realty, IT, auto, media, capital goods, consumer durables, telecom, infra up 1-3%.

Biggest Nifty gainers were Jio Financial, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, Eternal, M&M, while losers included Coal India, NTPC, HUL, Cipla and Sun Pharma.

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Index	Prices	Change	Change%
Sensex	75,273.45	1,205.00	+1.63%
Nifty 50	23,306.45	394.05	+1.72%
Nifty Bank	53,708.10	1,102.45	+2.10%

Nifty 50 23,306.45 394.05 (1.72%)

Wed, Mar 25, 2026

• 1D
• 5D
• 1M
• 3M
• 6M
• 1Y
• 2Y

Biggest Gainer	Prices	Change	Change%
Shriram Finance	956.00	52.40	+5.80%

Biggest Loser	Prices	Change	Change%
Tech Mahindra	1,408.50	-24.20	-1.69%

Best Sector	Prices	Change	Change%
Nifty PSU Bank	8581.05	223.50	+2.67%

Worst Sector	Prices	Change	Change%
Nifty IT	29671.30	22.40	+0.08%

In stock specific, Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions shares shed 3% post quartrly earnings, Wipro share price rose 1.5% on collaboration with AI software delivery platform company, Urban Company shares jumped 11% after SBI Mutual Fund picks additional stake, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries share price declined 5% as promoter will sell up to 5% stake.

Mankind Pharma share price rose 1.7% on acquiring Rivotril brand for India, Strides Pharma Science share price rose 3% on entering into agreements with Sandoz AG, Switzerland, Mafatlal Industries shares added 6% on bagging five-year order worth Rs 114 crore, Thomas Cook shares rallied more than 9% as board to consider corporate restructuring proposal, BEML shares rose 3% on securing overseas metro rolling stock order of USD 60 mn.

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More than 200 stocks touched their 52-week low, including Gujarat State Petro, Cipla, Tata Chemicals, Gujarat Gas, Honeywell Automation, Procter and Gamble Hygiene and Health Care, C. E. Info Systems (MapmyIndia), among others. Click to View More

Outlook for March 19

Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities

Nifty has been giving a positive close for the last three sessions. On Monday it closed with a piercing line pattern (bullish reversal pattern) on the daily timeframe, on Tuesday it closed breaking out of the falling channel on the hourly chart, and on Wednesday it has closed above the 23.60% Fibonacci retracement.

The daily RSI has reversed from the deep oversold zone and currently it is in a bullish crossover, suggesting positive momentum.

The sentiment is likely to remain positive with a possibility to rise towards 24250. While, a support is placed at 23500, which is likely to remain a support for the short term.

Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities

Today, the benchmark indices continued their positive momentum. The Nifty ended 197 points higher, while the Sensex was up by 633 points. Among sectors, almost all the major sectoral indices registered buying interest at lower levels, but the Media index outperformed today, rallying over 3 percent.

Technically, after a positive open, the market held positive momentum throughout the day. An uptrend continuation formation on intraday charts and a bullish candle on daily charts indicate a further uptrend from the current levels.

We are of the view that the market has completed one leg of the pullback rally, and we could see some profit booking at higher levels. For day traders, buying on intraday dips and selling on rallies would be the ideal strategy. On the downside, 23,600/76000 and 23,500/75700 would be the immediate support zones, while 23,950–24,000/77000-77300 could act as crucial resistance areas for the bulls. However, below 23,500/75700, the sentiment could change. If the index falls below this level, traders may prefer to exit their long positions.

Ajit Mishra – SVP, Research, Religare Broking

Markets extended their recovery for the third consecutive session on Wednesday, supported by stable global cues, although volatility persisted. The Nifty opened on a firm note and maintained a positive bias for most of the session; however, profit booking in the final hours trimmed some of the gains. Consequently, the index settled near the 23,764 mark, rising approximately 0.78%.

Sectoral participation remained largely positive, reflecting broad-based buying interest. IT, realty, auto, and banking emerged as the top gainers, while metal and FMCG stocks ended on a subdued note. In the broader market, midcap and smallcap indices outperformed the benchmarks, gaining nearly 2% each, indicating a pickup in risk appetite.

The sharp rebound in the IT pack was a key highlight and played a critical role in driving today’s recovery. However, lingering geopolitical tensions, weakness in the rupee, and the possibility of renewed volatility in crude oil prices continue to keep market participants cautious.

The Nifty is gradually inching higher and has tested the immediate resistance zone of 23,800–24,000. Sustaining above this band will be crucial for further recovery towards 24,400 level. On the downside, immediate support has shifted to the 23,300–23,600 zone. Participants are advised to avoid aggressive positioning and instead focus on stock-specific opportunities, maintaining disciplined risk management amid the still-evolving global backdrop.

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