Indian equity benchmarks continued to trade higher in late morning deals, aided by softer crude oil prices amid indications of easing tensions in West Asia. Investors closely assessed early trends from West Bengal and other state election results. Traders took support as India and the United Kingdom (UK) have held discussions to enhance bilateral trade and investments and leverage opportunities under the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) signed in July last year. Some support also came with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s statement that the India-UAE free trade agreement, which came into force in May 2022, has helped the bilateral trade to cross $100 billion. Sector-wise, power stocks remained in watch as data showed India's power consumption witnessed a 4.04 per cent growth to 153.99 billion units (BU) in April compared to the year-ago period as unseasonal rains subdued power demand, especially in the first half of the month. On the global front, Asian markets were trading higher amid traders grappled with mixed signals from the Middle East, while strong corporate earnings kept the technology sector buoyant. 

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 77543.92, up by 630.42 points or 0.82% after trading in a range of 77229.89 and 77910.75. There were 24 stocks advancing against 6 stocks declining on the index.

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Realty up by 2.53%, Healthcare up by 1.46%, FMCG up by 1.43%, Basic Materials up by 1.38% and Metal up by 1.28%, while TECK down by 0.84%, IT down by 0.39% and Telecom down by 0.04% were the top losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were Hindustan Unilever up by 4.64%, Adani Ports &Special up by 3.48%, Maruti Suzuki up by 2.95%, Larsen & Toubro up by 2.26% and Bajaj Finance up by 2.06%. On the flip side, Kotak Mahindra Bank down by 2.00%, Bharti Airtel down by 1.62%, TCS down by 1.15%, Tech Mahindra down by 0.96% and Infosys down by 0.33% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, India and the United Kingdom (UK) have held discussions to enhance bilateral trade and investments and leverage opportunities under the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) signed in July last year.  

The discussion took place between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle. Goyal stated ‘We explored ways to further enhance our trade and investment ties while fully leveraging the opportunities under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.’

On July 24, 2025, India and the UK signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, allowing 99% of Indian exports to enter the UK duty-free, while tariffs on British products, such as cars and whisky, will be reduced in India. The agreement aims to double the $56 billion trade between the two economies by 2030.

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 24187.25, up by 189.70 points or 0.79% after trading in a range of 24061.85 and 24290.20. There were 41 stocks advancing against 9 stocks declining on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were Hindustan Unilever up by 4.62%, Adani Ports &SEZ up by 3.43%, Adani Enterprises up by 3.09%, Bajaj Auto up by 3.09% and Maruti Suzuki up by 2.85%. On the flip side, Kotak Mahindra Bank down by 2.24%, ONGC down by 2.00%, Bharti Airtel down by 1.67%, Dr. Reddy's Lab down by 1.46% and TCS down by 1.21% were the top losers.

All Asian markets were trading higher; Taiwan Weighted added 1811.85 points or 4.45% to 40,738.48, Jakarta Composite gained 20.19 points or 0.29% to 6,976.99, KOSPI increased 290.28 points or 4.21% to 6,889.15, Hang Seng advanced 407.47 points or 1.56% to 26,184.00 and Straits Times rose 29.66 points or 0.6% to 4,942.35.