Stock Market Update: Nifty attempts 17,600, Sensex adds over 400 points; banking stocks shine

The Indian markets returned in the green zone as benchmarks edged higher in the afternoon trade after opening on weak note on Friday. Benchmarks gained nearly 0.7%, aided by banking and realty stocks. Around 2pm, the broader Nifty50 was seen attempting 15,600 as the index traded at 17,585. Similarly, the S&P BSE Sensex accumulated over 400 points as it hovered around 59,000-mark.     

Bank Nifty too gained nearly 700 points as 12-share banking index was seen trading above 37,000.     

See Zee Business Live TV Streaming Below:

In the broader market, midcap and small cap indices gained 1.25% and 1.5% respectively around the same time as India VIX cooled down to 19-level.      

Sectorally, Nifty PSU Bank index surged over 3%, while bank, financial services and realty stocks were among top gainers. Pharma, healthcare and IT indices were sitting in the red even as the market turned positive. 

NTPC, BPCL, Power Grid, IndusInd Bank, State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, HDFC Ltd and Mahindra & Mahindra led the rally in the benchmarks.  

Hero MotoCorp, Tech Mahindra, SBI Life, Titan, Apollo Hospitals, Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy's, Infosys and Bharti Airtel were among top laggards