Stock Market LIVE Highlights: Markets End Volatile Session Lower; IT Strength Offset by Banking Weakness, Rupee Hits Record Low

Indian benchmark indices continued their upward momentum in afternoon trade on Tuesday, supported by strong buying in IT, realty, power and capital goods stocks. At 2:05 pm, the Sensex rose 222.30 points (0.30%) to 75,537.34, while the Nifty gained 63.60 points (0.27%) to 23,713.55. Market breadth remained firmly positive, with nearly 2,500 stocks advancing against 1,268 declines. Information Technology stocks led gains for the second consecutive session, followed by strength in broader sectors, reflecting sustained investor optimism and risk appetite across the market.

Rupee slipped further on Tuesday, May 19, hitting a fresh all-time low of 96.45 against the US dollar as pressure from rising crude oil prices and West Asia tensions kept mounting. Fears of possible disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz added fuel to the fire, unsettling currency markets and raising concerns over India’s import-heavy energy bill. With global oil benchmarks climbing, sentiment stayed weak, as traders weighed the impact on the country’s external balance. Market watchers now expect continued volatility, with geopolitics and crude movements acting like the twin “steering wheels” driving the rupee’s near-term direction.

Apollo Micro Systems’ shares surged over 10% as the company reported strong Q4 performance. Consolidated net profit grew 163% YoY to Rs 36.8 crore, and revenue grew 81% to Rs 293.3 crore. Strong buying by investors and optimism over its order pipeline saw the stock surge as much as Rs 357.70 intraday.

Infosys shares jumped nearly 4% to a high of ₹1,197.70 intraday at 12:07 PM on Tuesday. The stock opened higher at ₹1,162 against its previous close of ₹1,142.50.

Days after the price of milk rose and fuel became costlier yet again, various varieties of bread across cities have now become costlier. Modern Bread, on May 16, raised prices by Rs 5 per pack on several basic variants, one of the steepest recent hikes in the category.

Will more daily essentials get costlier next? Read more here.

Vodafone Idea posted a ₹51,970 crore profit driven by accounting gains, but the stock fell as investors focused on weak operations, ongoing losses, and uncertainty over the company’s real turnaround prospects.

Read more here.

• Adani Enterprises rose over 2%
• Adani Green Energy climbed nearly 3%
• Adani Total Gas gained over 2%
• Adani Power traded higher
• Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone also moved into positive territory

Read more here.

The Indian rupee seems trapped in the “every morning a new low” loop. On Tuesday, May 19, the domestic currency slipped yet again to a fresh record low near 96.38 against the US dollar, prolonging what’s becoming an uncomfortable losing streak for forex markets. The rupee opened slightly weaker at 96.37 compared to its previous close of 96.35, but traders barely had time to sip their morning coffee before the currency touched another lifetime low of 96.39 in early trade. This now marks the rupee’s eighth consecutive session of decline since May 7.

What’s causing the pressure? Read more here.

Shares of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) rose over 2 per cent in early trade on Tuesday even as fuel prices are rising and investors are cautious amid volatility in the energy market. 

Read more here.

Sensex opened 277 points higher on Tuesday, while IT stocks surged sharply and banking shares traded with mild gains.

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The Nifty 50 opened higher on Tuesday and climbed above the 23,700 mark during early trade amid positive market sentiment ahead of weekly options expiry. The index touched an intraday high of 23,727.45 after opening at 23,675.30, supported largely by buying in IT and select heavyweight stocks.

Sensex traded higher in the pre-open session, supported by IT, defence and metal stocks, while realty and banking shares stayed subdued.

Indian stocks were mixed in the pre-open trade today. Sensex was up 675 points while the Nifty slipped 63 points. IT was showing resilience but Banking stocks continued to be under pressure ahead of the weekly expiry.

Indian equity markets are likely to remain stock-specific on Tuesday as investors closely monitor a busy day of quarterly earnings, RBI policy developments, fuel price hikes, and corporate expansion announcements. Oil marketing companies, banking stocks, pharma counters and defence shares may remain active during the session. Buyback proposals, fundraising plans and important earnings announcements that could lead to stock-specific action on Dalal Street are also likely to be closely watched by investors.

Read more here.