Stock markets recover on buying in IT, PSU bank stocks; rise in premium petrol and diesel prices

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty gave up most of their intra-day gains to end nearly 0.5% higher on Friday (March 20, 2026), following intense buying in PSU bank, IT and metal stocks amid concerns over a further spike in fuel-driven inflation.

In another volatile session, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 325.72 points or 0.44% to settle at 74,532.96. During the day, it jumped 1,079.15 points, or 1.45%, to 75,286.39.

The 50-share NSE Nifty edged higher by 112.35 points, or 0.49%, to end at 23,114.50. Intra-day, it jumped 343 points, or 1.49%, to 23,345.15.

From the 30-Sensex firms, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, Trent, Reliance Industries, Titan, NTPC and Sun Pharma were among the major gainers.

HDFC Bank, Bharat Electronics, Kotak Mahindra Bank and ICICI Bank were among the laggards.

Meanwhile, the price of premium or higher-grade petrol on Friday (March 20, 2026) was increased by ₹2 per litre, and the rate of bulk diesel sold to industrial users was hiked by about ₹22 a litre, reflecting the spike in global oil prices amid conflict in West Asia.

“Positive comments aimed at de-escalating the conflict and avoiding attacks on oil and gas infrastructure led to a moderate rebound during the day. However, investor sentiment remains fragile, with gains tapering off as participants remain reluctant to hold positions over the weekend amid war-related uncertainties,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, jumped 1.88% to $110.7 per barrel.

“Indian equities witnessed a relief-driven rebound, primarily driven by short-covering after a sharp build-up of bearish positions in the previous sessions,” Hariprasad K., Research Analyst and Founder, Livelong Wealth, said.

In Asian markets, South Korea’s benchmark Kospi ended higher, while Shanghai’s SSE Composite index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index settled lower. Markets in Japan were closed due to a holiday.

Equity markets in Europe were trading higher.

The U.S. market ended in negative territory on Thursday (March 20, 2026).

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹7,558.19 crore on Thursday (March 18, 2026), according to exchange data. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), however, bought stocks worth ₹3,863.96 crore.

On Thursday (March 18, 2026), the Sensex tanked 2,496.89 points or 3.26% — its biggest single-day plunge since June 2024 — to settle at 74,207.24. The Nifty tumbled 775.65 points, or 3.26%, to end at 23,002.15.

Published – March 20, 2026 05:03 pm IST