Markets ended on a flat note amid geopolitical uncertainty

The domestic share market ended the volatile on a flat note on Friday,after bond yields rebounded and as oil prices continued to surge amid persistent global uncertanities.At close, the Sensex was up 3.11 points at 77,540.83, and the Nifty was up 20.15 points or 0.08 percent at 24,252.For the week, BSE Sensex and Nifty shed 0.5% each.
Power Grid Corp, HDFC Life, Nestle, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Bharat Electronics were the top gainers on the Nifty, while losers included Maruti Suzuki, Trent, Interglobe Aviation, Infosys and HCL Technologies.On the sectoral front, metal index rose 0.8% and realty index was up 0.4%, while auto, FMCG, IT, media and pharma shed 0.2-0.8%.The broader indices were mixed, with the mid-cap index ending flat, while the small-cap index rose 0.7%.
Rupee Close:
On 21 Aug'26,the Indian rupee pared initial gains and settled on a flat note, higher by just 3 paise at 95.71 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on Friday, as the support from a weak dollar was negated by continued geopolitical tensions.Forex traders said the Indian rupee traded flat to positive on a weak dollar and a positive tone in the domestic markets. However, the rupee pared initial gains as geopolitical tensions continue to simmer.
Trading Guide:
Market experts recommended five breakout stocks to buy on Friday: VA Tech Wabag, Acme Solar Holdings, Cartrade Tech, Tamilnad Mercantile Bank, and Innova Captab.

(Business Correspondent)