Nifty hits record peak as Sensex climbs to historic 86,026 in broad market rally
Mumbai – India’s stock market surged on Thursday. The Nifty and Sensex both hit fresh record highs as investors priced in rate-cut hopes in the US and India. The rally gained strength through the morning and set an upbeat tone across sectors.
The market opened firm. The Sensex started at 85,745 and quickly pushed past 86,000. The Nifty also opened higher at 26,261 and touched 26,306 within hours. Both benchmarks broke previous records from September 2024. Traders linked the momentum to expectations of strong earnings in the next two quarters.
Analysts pointed to October’s consumption jump as a major driver. They said companies will likely report better numbers in Q3 and Q4 of FY26. This trend, they added, can support the next leg of growth even if spending moderates after the festival season. However, several market watchers cautioned that valuations remain stretched. They said investors should expect a steady uptrend but not an aggressive, long-lasting rally.
At the same time, the global backdrop helped. Asian markets rose strongly. US indices also gained overnight. A softer dollar added to the risk-on mood. Traders in Japan continued to debate the timing of a possible rate hike, but the broader Asian sentiment stayed positive.
Back home, the rupee moved in a supportive range. As a result, foreign buying stayed firm in early trades. Broader sectoral indices turned green quickly. Nifty Auto, Nifty Financial Services, and Nifty Bank saw steady inflows. Analysts said Bank Nifty holds the strength to break its previous highs if credit growth stays stable and asset quality remains sound.
Through the afternoon, conversations in the trading community focused on next week’s RBI Monetary Policy Committee meeting. The meeting runs from December 3 to 5. Many traders now expect a 25-basis-point cut. They say inflation remains under control and growth indicators look steady. A cut, they added, could boost domestic liquidity and reinforce the rally.
Companies with strong retail and lending portfolios led the gains. Bajaj Finance rose over 2 percent. Bajaj Finserv, Shriram Finance, and Asian Paint also climbed. Market veterans said the shift toward quality names showed investors prefer stability during sharp index moves.
Meanwhile, global cues continued to brighten. Traders in the US priced in a potential Fed cut as soon as next month. This expectation weighed on the dollar and lifted risk assets worldwide. Asian stock indices followed the trend and provided the perfect external push for Indian markets.
By closing time, the mood remained upbeat. Traders said the rally reflects a mix of strong domestic data, supportive global signals, and renewed confidence in India’s corporate earnings. They also noted that the upward movement shows healthy market participation across sectors.
In the coming days, the focus will shift to the RBI meeting and guidance from central bankers. Investors want clarity on growth projections and inflation risks. For now, though, the market enjoys its record-setting moment with both Nifty and Sensex rewriting history on the same day.
