Stock Market Today: Nifty Closes Above 24,600 Before Independence Day Weekend - 5 Things to Know

The Indian stock market ended Wednesday’s session on a cautious note as traders braced for the Independence Day holiday. The Sensex closed at 80,597.66, up 0.07%, while the Nifty settled at 24,631.30 with a modest gain of 0.05%. The Nifty Bank index also stayed in the green, closing at 55,341.85, higher by 0.29%.

Markets Shut on August 15

This Friday, August 15, as India celebrates its 79th Independence Day, there will be no trading across major exchanges. Both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) will remain closed for equities, derivatives, and securities lending and borrowing (SLB) segments. Commodity traders will also see a pause, as the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) and the National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) are observing a full-day closure. Gold, crude oil, and agri-futures will resume trading in the next session.

Top Gainers of the Day

Among index heavyweights, Eternal, Infosys, Asian Paints, and Maruti led the rally. Infosys attracted investor interest with a nearly 2% surge after announcing a joint venture with Australian telecom giant Telstra. Wipro also gained close to 2%, adding to the IT sector’s strength.

Major Laggards

On the other hand, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, Adani Ports, and Bharat Electronics came under selling pressure and were among the key drags on the market.

Intraday Movers

Outside the benchmark indices, several midcaps and smallcaps saw sharp moves. Newgen Software surged nearly 7%, making it one of the standout gainers in the tech pack. Muthoot Finance hit a new 52-week high after posting strong Q1 results, while retail giant Vishal Mega Mart also touched a fresh peak during the session.

Vodafone Idea Slips Further

In contrast, Vodafone Idea slipped to yet another low, hitting Rs 6.12 in intraday trade. The telecom stock has been struggling under sustained pressure due to weak subscriber growth and concerns over its financial stability.

With the long weekend ahead and trading shut on Friday, market activity is expected to pick up momentum again next week as investors turn their focus back to global cues and corporate earnings.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The opinions and recommendations expressed are those of individual analysts or brokerage firms and do not reflect the views of NewsPoint. Investors are advised to consult certified financial advisors before making any investment decisions.