Indices trade sideways; breadth strong

The Feds indication of another rate hike in 2026 is likely to keep investors cautious, particularly in rate-sensitive and foreign-portfolio-investment-driven segments. However, buying interest in select domestic sectors provided some support, with the Nifty holding above the 23,200 mark. Market participants are likely to track currency movements, US bond yields and foreign fund flows for further direction.

Auto, PSU Bank and metal shares advanced while IT and private bank stocks declined.

At 09:25 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex declined 30.07 points or 0.03% to 74,292.43. The Nifty 50 index rose 15.50 points or 0.07% to 23,239.80.

The broader market outperformed the frontline indices. The BSE 150 MidCap Index added 0.28% and the BSE 250 SmallCap Index advanced 0.47%.

The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 2,120 shares rose and 790 shares fell. A total of 196 shares were unchanged.