Sensex jumps 1,074 pts as Nifty tops 24,000 in 2026

Market closes strong with Nifty back above 24,000

Indian benchmark indices started the week with a sharp rally on Monday, May 25, 2026, extending gains from the previous week. The Sensex jumped 1,073.61 points, or 1.42%, to close at 76,488.96. The Nifty 50 rose 312.40 points, or 1.32%, ending at 24,031.70 and reclaiming the 24,000 mark in late trade. The move was supported by broad-based buying across sectors and participation from the broader market. By the close, all sectoral indices ended in the green. Market commentary also noted that the Nifty formed a bullish candle on the daily chart after ending above the psychological 24,000 level.

Crude oil drop and US-Iran deal hopes set the tone

The day’s risk-on mood was linked to a sharp decline in crude oil prices, driven by optimism around a potential US-Iran deal. Lower crude prices can ease pressure on India’s import bill, a factor traders often track closely during global energy moves. Alongside the crude-led optimism, positive global cues were cited as supportive for equities through the session. The Indian rupee’s appreciation added to sentiment, helping reinforce the bid for domestic risk assets. Combined, these factors provided a macro tailwind that kept buyers active across the board.

How the session unfolded: gap-up start, late-hour push

Markets opened higher and held onto gains through most of the session, with steady accumulation across sectors. The Nifty 50 moved above 24,000 in late-hour trade, reflecting persistence in buying interest rather than a brief spike. In the final hour, momentum picked up further, pushing the indices higher into the close. This late-session strength was highlighted as a key feature of the day, with the Nifty ultimately finishing decisively above 24,000. The closing pattern was described as an uptrend continuation, with both benchmarks adding more than 1%.

Sectoral breadth: every sector ends in the green

The rally was not narrow. All sectoral indices ended positive, pointing to broad participation rather than a single-sector move. Oil and gas and auto were among the leading sectoral performers, rising in the 1-2% range. PSU banks, private banks, and realty were also cited as up 1-2%. This breadth mattered because it indicated that the move was spread across cyclicals and financials, helping sustain the index push past key levels.

Broader markets participate: midcaps and smallcaps rise

Broader markets also moved higher, adding to the constructive tone. The Nifty Midcap index was reported up 0.9%, while the smallcap index rose 1.4%. Separate broader market gauges were also cited as positive, with the BSE 150 Midcap index up 0.80% and the BSE 250 Smallcap index up 1.22%. This participation from outside the large-cap benchmarks helped underline the “across-segment buying” referenced in market updates.

Stock-specific action: top Nifty gainers and laggards

On the Nifty, Eicher Motors was mentioned as a top gainer, jumping 5%. L&T, Bajaj Finance, Adani Enterprises, and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles were also among the day’s top gainers on the index. In banking, Bajaj Finance and HDFC Bank were highlighted as rising about 3% each. On the losing side, Max Healthcare, ONGC, Hindalco, Infosys, and Bajaj Auto were listed among the laggards. Even with some stocks in the red, the overall market advance remained strong due to broad strength across sectors and index heavyweights.

Nearly 150 stocks hit 52-week highs on BSE

A notable feature of the session was the number of stocks touching fresh highs. Nearly 150 stocks hit 52-week highs on the BSE, signalling strong risk appetite beyond the benchmarks. Names cited among the 52-week high list included HFCL, Torrent Pharma, JB Chemicals, Angel One, Vodafone Idea, Polycab, Navin Fluorine, Manappuram Finance, Anand Rathi, KEI Industries, GE Vernova TD, Apollo Hospitals, Gland Pharma, Varun Beverages, Bajaj Auto, Timken, and Hindalco Industries, among others. Such a high count of new highs typically reflects broad momentum across themes and market caps.

Key numbers at a glance

Market impact: what changed for investors and sectors

The headline impact was the decisive reclaiming of 24,000 on the Nifty 50 and a 1,073-point rise on the Sensex, which reinforced near-term bullish sentiment. The session’s breadth was equally important, with every sector ending higher and multiple cyclical groups - including auto and oil and gas - leading gains. Broader market indices also rose, indicating that the rally was not limited to a handful of index stocks. Another reported takeaway was that investors earned about ₹6 lakh crore, reflecting the market-wide value accretion associated with the day’s move. The high number of 52-week highs on the BSE added evidence of widespread participation.

Analysis: why crude and currency cues mattered on May 25

The day’s triggers linked global macro cues to local market pricing. The decline in crude oil prices, tied to optimism around a potential US-Iran deal, supported sentiment because oil is a key variable for India’s inflation and external balance. The appreciation in the Indian rupee added a second supportive signal, aligning with the risk-on mood and helping maintain buying interest through the session. Finally, the late-hour pickup in momentum was notable because it pushed the Nifty above a psychological level at the close, a detail closely watched by traders for short-term trend confirmation.

What to watch next

With the Nifty closing above 24,000 and broad sectors finishing in the green, market participants will track whether the momentum sustains beyond a single session. Traders will also continue monitoring crude oil moves and developments tied to US-Iran deal expectations, given their role in shaping risk sentiment. Currency moves in the Indian rupee, along with global cues, were central to the day’s rise and are likely to remain in focus. For stock-specific action, the market will watch whether the leaders cited in the session, including autos and select financials, continue to drive index moves in the next few sessions.