Sensex closes virtually unchanged at 77,541 as banks lead

India’s BSE Sensex finished virtually unchanged at 77,541 on Friday, as market sentiment remained cautious amid elevated oil prices and global bond yields, alongside persistent geopolitical uncertainty.

Gains in financials helped to offset weakness in technology, autos and FMCG stocks.

Heavyweight private lenders advanced more than 1%, with Kotak Mahindra Bank and ICICI Bank leading the gains after Goldman Sachs began coverage of 14 Indian banks, pointing to improving earnings prospects.

Bernstein expects healthy bank growth in FY2027, underpinned by robust liquidity and a recovery in nominal credit growth.