Stock market mid-day: Sensex jumps over 600 pts, Sensex, Nifty extend rally amid India-EU deal optimism, ONGC, Hindalco shine, Tata Consumer, Asian Paints drag

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jan 28, 2026 | Business

Equity benchmarks extended gains from the previous session following India-EU trade agreement optimisim aided by supportive global cues that sparked fresh buying interest across the market. All eyes on Union Budget presentation on Feb 1, 2026.

Sensex traded 302.35 pts or 0.37 per cent positive at 82,159.83 at 12.34 pm, after rallying over 600 pts to 82,503.97 during the session. Nifty 50 traded 103.25 pts or 0.41 per cent higher at 25,278.65, hitting an intraday high of 25,372.10 (up 146 pts from day’s low).

Smallcap index outperformed with 1.5 per cent increase, while midcap rose by 0.84 per cent. On the sectoral front, oil & gas and metal indices surged 3 per cent, while FMCG declined 1 per cent. In addition, auto, pharma, and IT dipped, while all other indices traded in positive territory.

Top movers intraday

Among the Nifty 50 components, ONGC, Hindalco, Coal India, Eternal and Bharat Electronics led the gainers, while Tata Consumer Products, Asian Paints, Eicher Motors, Maruti and Infosys were major laggards.

Market breadth was firmly positive, with 3,142 stocks traded on the NSE, of which 2,271 advanced, 780 declined and 91 remained unchanged, while 61 stocks hit fresh 52-week highs against 133 that touched new 52-week lows; as many as 94 counters were locked in the upper circuit, compared with 38 in the lower circuit.

Companies like L&T, Maruti Suzuki, BEL, ICRA, Star Health, GRSE, ACC and Cochin Shipyard will announce Q3 results today. Follow our live

Midcap stocks Motilal OFS, Oil India, National Aluminium, BDL and Cochin Shipyard zoomed 5-9 per cent, while Vishal Mega Mart, Bharti Hexacom, IDFC First Bank and Coromandel International fell 2-5 per cent.

Under the smallcap segment, Hindustan Copper, Data Patterns, Tejas Networks, IGIL and BEML rallied 7-13 per cent, while Radico, Aegis Vopak, IKS, Anant Raj and CreditAccess depreciated 2-4 per cent.

Published on January 28, 2026

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Homi Bhabha to Ajit Pawar: Political heavyweights, prominent figures who died in air tragedies

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jan 28, 2026 | Business

File Photo: The crash site of Air India Ltd. Flight 171 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on Friday, June 13, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
Bloomberg

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four other persons were killed in an aircraft crash on Wednesday morning, bringing back the memories of other major crashes in which political heavyweights and prominent figures lost their lives.

The incident occurred when the plane carrying NCP leader Pawar (66) and others was trying to land in Pune’s Baramati area.

Here is a list of the top politicians and prominent figures who lost their lives in air tragedies:

* Homi Bhabha (1966) India’s pioneering nuclear physicist Homi Jehangir Bhabha died in a tragic crash aboard Air India Flight 101 on January 24, 1966. The plane crashed into Mont Blanc in the Swiss Alps due to a miscommunication with the Geneva air traffic control.

* Sanjay Gandhi (1980) Congress leader and son of then prime minister Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi died in a tragic crash on June 23, 1980. Attempting aerial stunts in a Delhi Flying Club aircraft near the Safdarjung Airport, the plane lost control and crashed.

* Madhavrao Scindia (2001) Senior Congress leader Madhavrao Scindia, himself a former civil aviation minister, died on September 30, 2001 in a plane crash en route a political rally in Kanpur. The 10-seater private aircraft crashed due to poor weather conditions in Uttar Pradesh.

* GMC Balayogi (2002) Lok Sabha Speaker and Telugu Desam Party leader G M C Balayogi died in a chopper crash on March 3, 2002, when a private helicopter carrying him from Bhimavaram in the West Godavari district crashed into a pond near Kaikalur in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh.

* Cyprian Sangma (2004) Meghalaya’s Rural Development Minister Cyprian Sangma and nine others, who were heading from Guwahati to Shillong on a Pawan Hans helicopter, were killed when the chopper crashed near the Barapani lake, just 20 km from the state capital, on September 22, 2004.

* K S Sowmya (2004) Famous South Indian actress K S Sowmya, popular as Soundarya, lost her life in an air crash on April 17, 2004. The “Sooryavansham” actress was flying from Bengaluru to Karimnagar with her brother at the time of the crash.

* O P Jindal and Surender Singh (2005) Industrialist and Haryana minister Om Prakash Jindal lost his life in a helicopter crash in 2005 along with Agriculture Minister Surender Singh. Their chopper was en route Chandigarh from Delhi when it crashed in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur.

* Y S Reddy (2009) Then chief minister of Andhra Pradesh Y S Rajasekhara Reddy (2009), popularly known as YSR, died on September 2, 2009, when his Bell 430 helicopter crashed in the dense Nallamala forest due to bad weather.

* Dorjee Khandu (2011) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and four others were killed on April 30, 2011, when a helicopter carrying them from Tawang to Itanagar crashed in the West Kameng district of the state.

* CDS General Bipin Rawat (2021) India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, died in a helicopter crash on December 8, 2021. The incident occurred near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu while he was en route from Sulur to Wellington with his wife and 11 others.

* Vijay Rupani (2025) Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani died in a plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. All but one of the 242 passengers and crew on board the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (AI171) and more than 20 persons, including MBBS students on the ground, were killed in the aircraft crash.

Published on January 28, 2026

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Crude oil futures gain as US winter storm hits output

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jan 28, 2026 | Business

Crude oil futures traded higher on Wednesday morning as a severe winter storm in the US disrupted crude oil production and exports from the US Gulf Coast.

At 9.58 am on Wednesday, April Brent oil futures were at $66.91, up by 0.48 per cent, and March crude oil futures on WTI (West Texas Intermediate) were at $62.76, up by 0.59 per cent. February crude oil futures were trading at ₹5770 on Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) during the initial hour of trading on Wednesday against the previous close of ₹5705, up by 1.14 per cent, and March futures were trading at ₹5770 against the previous close of ₹5712, up by 1.02 per cent.

A Reuters report said that the US producers lost up to 2 million barrels a day or roughly 15 per cent of national output over the weekend, as the storm strained energy infrastructure and power grids.

Citing the ship tracking service Vortexa, the report said crude and liquefied natural gas exports from US Gulf Coast ports tumbled to zero on Sunday before rebounding on Monday.

Meanwhile, the industry data showed a decline in crude oil inventories in the US for the week ending January 23. According to the industry body American Petroleum Institute (API), US crude oil inventories declined by 0.25 million barrels for the week ending January 23. However, the official data from the US EIA (Energy Information Administration), which is scheduled to be released later on Wednesday, will give a clear picture on US inventory levels.

In a latest social media post, US President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw help to Iraq if Nouri al-Maliki becomes its Prime Minister.

On the social media platform Truth Social, Trump said: “I’m hearing that the Great Country of Iraq might make a very bad choice by reinstalling Nouri al-Maliki as Prime Minister. Last time Maliki was in power, the Country descended into poverty and total chaos. That should not be allowed to happen again. Because of his insane policies and ideologies, if elected, the United States of America will no longer help Iraq and, if we are not there to help, Iraq has ZERO chance of Success, Prosperity, or Freedom.”

Iraq is one of the members of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries).

February natural gas futures were trading at ₹346.20 on MCX during the initial hour of trading on Wednesday against the previous close of ₹352.90, down by 1.90 per cent.

On the National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), April dhaniya contracts were trading at ₹11,198 in the initial hour of trading on Wednesday against the previous close of ₹11,128, up by 0.63 per cent.

February guargum futures were trading at ₹10,440 on NCDEX in the initial hour of trading on Wednesday against the previous close of ₹10,524, down by 0.80 per cent.

Published on January 28, 2026

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Markets open higher on budget optimism; ONGC surges 7%, Asian Paints tumbles 6%

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jan 28, 2026 | Business

The bull with the candlesstick chart on the blue background. 3d illustration. istock photo for BL
| Photo Credit:
style-photography

Benchmark indices opened on a positive note on Wednesday, extending the previous session’s recovery as investor sentiment improved ahead of the Union Budget and on the back of the India-EU trade deal. The Sensex opened at ₹81,892.36 against the previous close of ₹81,857.48 and was trading at ₹82,225.48, up 368.00 points or 0.45 per cent at 9.55 am. The Nifty opened at ₹25,258.85 compared to the previous close of ₹25,175.40 and was trading at ₹25,288.65, gaining 113.25 points or 0.45 per cent.

“Indian equity markets are expected to open on a firm note today, extending the late-session recovery seen in the previous session,” said Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, a SEBI registered online trading and wealth tech firm. “Improving global risk sentiment is likely to encourage fresh buying from oversold levels and prompt short-covering across derivative segments.”

Among the Nifty 50 constituents, ONGC emerged as the top gainer, surging 7.28 per cent to ₹266.01 from its previous close of ₹247.95. Coal India advanced 2.66 per cent to ₹434.15, while Axis Bank rose 2.36 per cent to ₹1,346.80. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) gained 2.15 per cent to ₹424.90, and Hindalco climbed 1.33 per cent to ₹974.60.

On the losing side, Asian Paints was the biggest laggard, plunging 5.64 per cent to ₹2,475.00 from the previous close of ₹2,622.80. Tata Consumer Products declined 4.24 per cent to ₹1,137.00, while Eicher Motors fell 2.82 per cent to ₹6,962.50. Bajaj Auto dropped 2.30 per cent to ₹9,273.50, and Maruti Suzuki shed 2.22 per cent to ₹14,906.00.

The Metal Index emerged as the standout performer from the previous session, rallying 3.35 per cent, while the Media Index was the worst performer, losing over 1 per cent. “After the India-EU trade deal, which is a big long-term positive, investors are now focused on the Union Budget to be presented on Feb first,” said Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued their selling spree with cash market selling of ₹3,068 crores in the previous session, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) provided support with aggressive buying worth ₹8,999 crores. “A significant feature of the ongoing market construct is the huge short position created by the FIIs in index futures,” Vijayakumar said. “Any news or event that triggers short covering can lead to a rally in the market.”

From a technical perspective, the Nifty held near 25,175, showing resilience above key support levels. “The 25,300–25,400 zone is emerging as an immediate resistance area, and sustained strength above this band is required to trigger meaningful short-covering,” said Aakash Shah, Technical Research Analyst at Choice Equity Broking Private Limited. “On the downside, 25,000 remains a critical psychological support, followed by 24,800.”

Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research) at Mehta Equities Ltd, noted that the Nifty rebounded in Tuesday’s session, led by strong gains in metal stocks. “The benchmark closed above its 200-DMA at 25,154 and remained comfortably above the key 25,000 mark, signalling near-term resilience despite India VIX staying elevated at 14.22,” he said.

However, market participants remained cautious as several headwinds persist. “Sustained pressure on the Indian rupee against the U.S. dollar, continued net selling by foreign portfolio investors, and unresolved geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could act as near-term headwinds,” Ponmudi R warned.

Global cues remained mixed as world stocks reached new highs on strong U.S. earnings, while anxiety over President Trump’s policies pushed gold to record levels. “Indian equity markets are poised to open on a positive note, buoyed by robust sentiment surrounding the India-EU trade agreement,” said Devarsh Vakil, Head of Prime Research, HDFC Securities.

Published on January 28, 2026

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भारत से मिलकर बदला UAE का मूड, इस बड़े डील को तोड़कर दिया पाकिस्तान को करारा झटका

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jan 28, 2026 | Business

Pakistan Airport Deal with UAE: UAE (संयुक्त अरब अमीरात) ने पाकिस्तान के साथ इस्लामाबाद इंटरनेशनल एयरपोर्ट को लेकर होने वाली डील तोड़ दी है. इसके तहत, घाटे में चल रही पाकिस्तान के एविएशन सेक्टर की हालत को सुधारने और देश में विदेशी निवेश को आकर्षित करते के लिए इस्लामाबाद एयरपोर्ट की कमान UAE की किसी कंपनी या संस्थान को दी जानी थी.

दिलचस्प बात यह है कि UAE के राष्ट्रपति शेख मोहम्मद बिन जायद अल नाहयान के नई दिल्ली दौरे के कुछ दिनों बाद यह डील कैंसिल हुई है, जो पाकिस्तान के लिए किसी झटके से कम नहीं है.

क्यों कैंसिल हुई एयरपोर्ट डील?

पाकिस्तान के अखबार एक्सप्रेस ट्रिब्यून की एक रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, शुरुआत में दिलचस्पी दिखाने के बाद UAE एयरपोर्ट के ऑपरेशन को आउटसोर्स करने के लिए किसी लोकल पार्टनर की पहचान नहीं कर पाया, जिसके बाद इस प्लान को कैंसिल कर दिया गया. सूत्रों के हवाले से रिपोर्ट में यह भी कहा गया है कि पाकिस्तान की तरफ से UAE को एक फाइनल कॉल लेटर भेजकर डील पर जवाब मांगा गया था, जिस पर UAE ने बताया कि वह अभी तक किसी नॉमिनेटेड एंटिटी को कन्फर्म नहीं कर पाया है.

भारत दौरे के बाद लिया फैसला

UAE के राष्ट्रपति शेख मोहम्मद बिन जायद अल नाहयान बीते 19 जनवरी की शाम को सिर्फ 2.5 घंटे के लिए भारत आए थे. इस दौरान उन्होंने भारत के प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी के साथ मुलाकात की और ट्रेड व डिफेंस समेत 9 बड़े समझौते किए. इस दौरान दोनों देशों ने अपने बीच कारोबार को 2032 तक दोगुना कर 200 अरब डॉलर तक पहुंचाने का टारगेट भी सेट किया.

इसके अलावा, UAE ने भारत में 100 बिलियन डॉलर के निवेश को बढ़ावा देने पर भी सहमति जताई है. द इकोनॉमिक टाइम्स की रिपोर्ट में यह भी बताया गया कि बैठक के दौरान पीएम मोदी और बिन जायद ने दोनों देशों ने अपने-अपने यहां के सूक्ष्म, लघु और मध्यम उद्योगों को जोड़ने की दिशा में काम करने की भी बात कही है और यह दोनों देशों के बीच इस तरह की कोई पहली पहल होगी.

UAE-भारत के बीच कारोबार

भारत और UAE के बीच व्यापक आर्थिक साझेदारी समझौते (CEPA) को 18 फरवरी 2025 को तीन साल पूरे हो गए हैं. 1 मई 2022 से लागू हुए इस समझौते के बाद से भारत और UAE के बीच सामानों का लेनदेन कारोबारी साल 2020-21 में 43.3 बिलियन डॉलर से बढ़कर 2023-24 में 83.7 बिलियन डॉलर और 2024-25 में 80.5 बिलियन डॉलर तक पहुंच चुका है.

बता दें कि UAE और भारत के बीच बड़े पैमाने पर सामानों का कारोबार होता है. भारत से UAE में चावल-सब्जियों जैसी खाने-पीने की चीजें, इंजीनियरिंग गुड्स, कपड़े, केमिकल वगैरह खूब भेजे जाते हैं. वहीं, UAE से भी भारत में क्रूड ऑयल और नैचुरल गैस, गोल्ड, सीमेंट, चूना, सल्फर, डायमंड वगैरह

ये भी पढ़ें:

विदेशी निवेशकों की वापसी पर बड़ा अपडेट; इस ग्लोबल ब्रोकरेज ने बता दिया कब लौटेंगे एफआईआई, जानें डिटेल

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Ursula von der Leyen’s sartorial diplomacy shines during India visit

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jan 28, 2026 | Business

In this image posted on Jan. 27, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in New Delhi.

It’s not just the presence of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in India that is making news, but the elegant wardrobe she chose for her public engagements in Delhi is also creating headlines.

As a chief guest, the European Union (EU) leader attended the 77th Republic Day celebrations on Monday in a maroon and gold silk brocade ‘bandhgala’.

President Droupadi Murmu receives European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for the banquet hosted in their honour, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: @rashtrapatibhvn X/ANI Photo

On Tuesday, as India and the EU sealed a landmark free trade agreement billed as “mother of all deals”, she delivered a joint press statement, as also a subtle sartorial statement, attired in a refined blue outfit paired with white trousers, at the iconic Hyderabad House here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with European Council President Antonio Costa, left, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, during their meeting at the Hyderabad House, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Salman Ali/PTI

In her address, von der Leyen thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the “exceptional hospitality we experienced” in India.

Lasting Memory

“This is a memory I will carry for a lifetime, because the sense of communion was so powerful,” the EU chief said, recalling her experience of attending the ceremonial parade on Monday.

In this screengrab from a video posted on Jan. 26, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, centre, with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, left, and President of the European Council Antonio Costa during the 77th Republic Day Parade, at Kartavya Path, in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit: @NarendraModi/YT via PTI Photo

In her remarks, she also mentioned about the Makar Sankranti festival celebrated on January 14.

“As we conclude this 16th Summit, let me reflect on another event of deep meaning. Two weeks ago, India marked Makar Sankranti. It is the beginning of Uttarayan, the sun’s northward journey. From darkness to light. From stillness to growth. From what was to what can be. That is what makes our Summit so unique and timely,” the EU chief said.

“The time is ripe for renewal. For fresh momentum. And for opening a new chapter in EU-India friendship. And this is exactly what we have achieved today, together,” she asserted.

The EU chief and Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, were the chief guests for this year’s Republic Day event held on the Kartavya Path.

President Droupadi Murmu and the chief guests arrived at the venue in a traditional buggy that was escorted by the President’s Bodyguard.

As she stepped off the buggy, the intricate design and craftsmanship of her wardrobe, evident in its floral motifs, gently shimmered under the winter sun, lending the couture a ceremonial grace.

On Tuesday, the EU chief began her engagements with a visit to the Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Rajghat, along with Costa.

She wore the exquisite blue outfit, endowed with rich embroidery work, on the occasion, as well as for attending delegation-level talks at the Hyderabad House, and later an India-EU Business Forum at the Bharat Mandapam.

Fashion Recognition

The EU chief’s sartorial choices for attending events in India have also caught the attention of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI).

In a post on social media, including Facebook and Instagram, the FDCI termed it a “proud moment for Indian fashion” on the global stage.

President Droupadi Murmu with Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Chief Guest President of the European Council António Luís Santos da Costa, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during the national flag hoisting at Kartavya Path on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day celebrations, in New Delhi on Monday
| Photo Credit: DPR PMO/ANI Photo

Industry Voice

“During her historic visit to India, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is seen in creations by celebrated Indian designers Rajesh Pratap Singh and Anamika Khan, celebrating the depth, dignity, and global resonance of Indian design and craftsmanship,” the FDCI posted on Instagram.

The post also carried a quote of its chairman, Sunil Sethi, and hashtags such as ‘IndianFashion’, ‘RajeshPratapSingh’, ‘AnamikaKhanna’, ‘IndianDesign’, ‘Craftsmanship’, ‘TextileHeritage’, ‘FashionDiplomacy’ and ‘GlobalStage’.

“It fills us with immense pride to witness European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen donning the creations of Indian designers for such a historic visit.

“Her appropriate choice was not just a statement of style, but a homage to the extraordinary talent of Indian craftsmen and weavers whose artistry tells the story of our heritage on the world stage,” Sethi said.

Published on January 28, 2026

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