Sensex bounces back on buying in metal, bank stocks

Market Performance - The 30-share BSE Sensex increased by 319.78 points, or 0.39%, closing at 81,857.48, with a daily high of 82,084.92 and a low of 81,088.59 [3] - The 50-share NSE Nifty rose by 126.75 points, or 0.51%, ending at 25,175.40 [3] - Key gainers included Adani Ports, Axis Bank, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, NTPC, State Bank of India, UltraTech Cement, and Bharat Electronics [3][6] Company Highlights - Axis Bank's net profit for the December quarter grew by 4% to Rs 7,010.65 crore, compared to Rs 6,742.99 crore in the same period last year, leading to a stock price increase of over 4% [4][6] - In contrast, companies such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Asian Paints, Eternal, and ITC experienced declines [4][6] Trade Agreement Impact - India and the European Union finalized a significant free trade agreement, described as the "mother of all deals," which is expected to positively influence investor sentiment amid global trade disruptions [5][7] - The finalization of the India-EU bilateral trade agreement provided some support to Indian equities, despite a broader risk-off environment due to US tariff policies [7] Investor Activity - Foreign portfolio investors sold equities worth Rs 4,113.38 crore, while domestic institutional investors purchased stocks worth Rs 4,102.56 crore, indicating mixed investor sentiment [8]