FINAL TRADE: Indices end choppy session higher; Nifty ends above 24,750

FINAL TRADE: Indian equities in Wednesday's session (August 21) ended higher in a choppy session led by gains in the FMCG, consumer durable and pharma stocks. At the close, Nifty ended higher by 0.28 per cent at 24,770.2, while Sensex added 0.13 per cent or 102.44 points and setted at 80,905.3.

Sectorally, Nifty Pharma clocked an all-time high amid strength in the pack as stocks during Q1 posted stellar results. The momentum was also robust in consumer durable and FMCG stocks which gained 1 per cent.

Within the Nifty pack, top gainers included stocks like Divi's Laboratories, Titan, SBI Life Insurance, Cipla and HDFC Life, while laggards were Tech Mahindra, UltraTech Cement, Tata Steel, Power Grid Corporation and ONGC.

Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services said, "The Indian market traded on a tight range with a positive bias supported by strong DII flows. While defensive sector outperformed due to a continued shift in portfolio towards FMCG, consumer, commodities, and pharma. Global markets exhibited a mildly cautious tone ahead of the release of the FOMC minutes later today."

Currently, the expectation of a rate cut remains high, given the fall in US inflation and moderation in overall growth, he added.

During intra-day trade, Ola Electric shares continuing their winning spree and ended higher by as the company secured Domestic Value Addition certification under the PLI scheme. Also, the company's two 2-wheeler products have met the minimum 50 per cent localisation criteria.

Shares of the fashion and beauty products e-retailer Nykaa ended over 9 per cent higher at Rs 210.75 amid heavy volumes.

Meanwhile, European markets traded a positive note with the German DAX up 0.3 per cent amid gains in mining stocks. The pan-European STOXX 600 index (.STOXX) traded higher by 0.26 per cent.