Indian markets continued their gaining momentum in early afternoon session as traders preferred to buy fundamentally strong stocks. Buying in information technology companies supported the markets to trade higher. Investors were closely monitoring the Q4FY26 earnings season. Traders took note of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s statement that he will visit Canada in May to accelerate negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA). On March 2, the two countries launched negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA). On the global front, Asian markets were trading mixed amid concerns around growth expectations in the AI segment. The ongoing stalemate in the Middle East conflict between the U.S. and Iran is weighing on markets segment. 

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 77910.84, up by 1023.93 points or 1.33% after trading in a range of 77136.20 and 77921.60. There were 27 stocks advancing against 3 stocks declining on the index.

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Realty up by 2.34%, Auto up by 2.18%, FMCG up by 1.81%, TECK up by 1.68% and Energy was up by 1.67%, while Utilities down by 0.31% and Power down by 0.10% was the only losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were Maruti Suzuki up by 4.87%, ITC up by 3.28%, Tech Mahindra up by 3.24%, Mahindra & Mahindra up by 2.50% and Bharti Airtel up by 2.40%. On the flip side, Interglobe Aviation down by 0.79%, Tata Steel down by 0.07% and NTPC down by 0.05% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, emphasizing the importance of establishing processing value chain for critical minerals, the Mines Secretary Piyush Goyal has noted that without such ecosystem, it is difficult to utilise a critical mineral. He said that the government has identified Odisha, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra for its plan to set up four critical mineral value processing parks. These states have been identified as they have port access.  

He noted that the government has allocated Rs 500 crore in National Critical Mineral Mission to establish four processing parks across the country. He pointed that the establishment of processing value chain critical minerals will help expand the capacity for these minerals, which are very much needed for the industry. On timeline for the projects, he said ‘I am very optimistic that by this year-end we will significant progress in this regard’. He also informed that there was a meeting between primary and secondary aluminium industry players, who have shared several inputs listing their respective concerns.

Earlier, the government think tank - NITI Aayog had suggested building domestic innovation and technology capability by establishing a mission-oriented critical raw materials R&D framework. It also stressed the need to strengthen domestic exploration and mining to meet India's future critical minerals needs. Further, it suggested diversifying international supply sources and reducing import risk by classifying minerals by concentration and geopolitical exposure and tailoring overseas engagement accordingly.

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 24310.45, up by 314.75 points or 1.31% after trading in a range of 24059.95 and 24311.90. There were 44 stocks advancing against 6 stocks declining on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were Maruti Suzuki up by 4.92%, Coal India up by 3.43%, ITC up by 3.30%, Tech Mahindra up by 3.25% and Eicher Motors up by 2.84%. On the flip side, Interglobe Aviation down by 0.76%, Dr. Reddy's Lab down by 0.57%, Adani Enterprises down by 0.22%, NTPC down by 0.10% and Tata Steel down by 0.07% were the top losers.

Asian markets were trading mixed; Hang Seng advanced 360.22 points or 1.4% to 26,040.00, KOSPI increased 49.88 points or 0.75% to 6,690.90, Shanghai Composite strengthened 28.87 points or 0.71% to 4,107.51 and Jakarta Composite was up by 9.08 points or 0.13% to 7,081.47. On the flip side, Straits Times fell 21.56 points or 0.44% to 4,866.13 and Taiwan Weighted was down by 218.23 points or 0.56% to 39,303.50.