Sensex and Nifty close higher as healthcare and PSU bank stocks support

Mumbai, August 25, 2026 — Indian equity benchmarks ended the day in positive territory. The BSE Sensex rose 286.98 points, or 0.37 percent, to close at 77,656.09. The NSE Nifty advanced 115.50 points, or 0.48 percent, to 24,334.55.

Healthcare and pharmaceutical shares provided support. Adani Enterprises, Max Healthcare and Apollo Hospitals ranked among the top Nifty gainers. HDFC Life, Cipla and ONGC were among the notable losers. The Nifty Bank index finished almost flat, down 0.02 percent.

Broader markets were mixed. The Nifty MidCap rose 0.54 percent while the Nifty SmallCap slipped 0.1 percent. Market participants pointed to moderating oil prices after the US Iran sanctions announcement fell short of the most aggressive measures some had priced in.

US-Iran tensions had kept crude and bond yields elevated earlier in the week. Once the Treasury’s Operation Economic Outcast details became clear, both oil and yields eased from recent peaks, giving domestic equities room to recover.

Foreign institutional flows and domestic institutional buying remained constructive through the session. The market continues to watch global commodity prices and any further developments on trade tariffs involving major partners.

For investors the session offered a modest rebound after recent volatility. The healthcare sector’s relative strength and the stability in large-cap banking names provided the main anchors. Attention now turns to the next set of corporate results and any policy signals from New Delhi or Washington that could affect risk appetite.