Indian markets trimmed some of their gains in early afternoon session but remained in green. Traders took note of report that India’s manufacturing sector growth improved in the month of April 2026, but still marking the second-slowest improvement in operating conditions in nearly four years. According to the survey report, the seasonally adjusted HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 54.7 in April from 53.9 in March. Meanwhile, government data has showed that total Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection rose to a record of Rs 2,42,702 crore in April 2026 as compared to Rs 2,23,265 crore in April 2025, a growth of 8.7%. On the global front, all Asian markets were trading higher with potential US-led maritime security measures in the Strait of Hormuz to provide safe passage to vessels.

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 77363.74, up by 450.24 points or 0.59% after trading in a range of 77229.89 and 77910.75. There were 21 stocks advancing against 9 stocks declining on the index.

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Realty up by 2.44%, Healthcare up by 1.50%, Industrials up by 1.32%, Capital Goods up by 1.31% and Power was up by 1.28%, while TECK down by 1.17%, IT down by 0.67% and Telecom down by 0.03% were the few losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were Adani Ports up by 3.98%, Hindustan Unilever up by 3.97%, Larsen & Toubro up by 2.44%, Bajaj Finance up by 2.31% and Maruti Suzuki up by 1.70%. On the flip side, Kotak Mahindra Bank down by 2.64%, Bharti Airtel down by 2.28%, TCS down by 1.66%, Trent down by 1.43% and ITC down by 0.75% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, India’s manufacturing sector growth improved in the month of April 2026, but still marking the second-slowest improvement in operating conditions in nearly four years. Besides, spillovers from the Middle East conflict are becoming more evident, particularly through inflation as input costs increased at the fastest pace since August 2022, and output prices rose at the quickest rate in six months. According to the survey report, the seasonally adjusted HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 54.7 in April from 53.9 in March. 

The report further noted that new orders and output rose since March but trailed readings seen in at least three-and-a-half years. Advertising and demand resilience supported sales and production, but that growth was hampered by competitive conditions, the war in the Middle East and a reluctance among clients to approve pending quotes. Further, new export orders expanded sharply at the start of the first fiscal quarter, with the pace of growth reaching a seven-month high, amid better demand from clients in several countries, including Australia, France, Japan, Kenya, mainland China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the UK.

As per the report, despite only a marginal increase in outstanding business volumes, manufacturers recruited additional workers at the start of the first fiscal quarter. Moreover, the rate of job creation was marked and the strongest in ten months. Hiring growth reflected expansion plans. Meanwhile, Indian manufacturers remained optimistic towards growth prospects. The overall level of positive sentiment slipped since March, though was at its second-highest mark since November 2024. Confidence was pinned on hopes that marketing efforts will bear fruit and that pending projects will be approved.

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 24135.75, up by 138.20 points or 0.58% after trading in a range of 24061.85 and 24290.20. There were 36 stocks advancing against 13 stocks declining on the index, while 1 stock remained unchanged. 

The top gainers on Nifty were Hindustan Unilever up by 3.93%, Adani Ports up by 3.90%, Max Healthcare Inst up by 2.61%, Larsen & Toubro up by 2.45% and Shriram Finance up by 2.35%. On the flip side, Kotak Mahindra Bank down by 2.73%, Bharti Airtel down by 2.30%, Dr. Reddy's Lab down by 1.98%, ONGC down by 1.69% and TCS down by 1.65% were the top losers.

All Asian markets were trading higher; Taiwan Weighted added 1778.51 points or 4.37% to 40,705.14, Hang Seng advanced 355.47 points or 1.38% to 26,132.00, KOSPI increased 338.12 points or 4.87% to 6,936.99, Straits Times rose 33.43 points or 0.68% to 4,946.12 and Jakarta Composite was up by 7.69 points or 0.11% to 6,964.49.