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Key gauges trade flat with positive bias in morning deals
Jun-18-2026

Indian equity benchmarks were trading flat with positive bias in morning deals, supported by encouraging developments on the geopolitical front and easing crude oil prices. Traders took support with the report stated that India and the UK have announced that the free trade agreement will come into force on July 15, a move which is expected to help double two-way commerce to $100 billion by 2030. Some support also came as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) infused Rs 72,300 crore transient liquidity through two Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction into the banking system after surplus liquidity narrowed following advance tax payments. Separately, the Reserve Bank has temporarily withdrew interest rate ceiling on fresh Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) deposits of 3-5 years' maturity till September 30, a move aimed at attracting foreign capital. On the global front, Asian markets are trading mixed following the negative cues from Wall Street overnight as concerns remain about the outlook for interest rates after the US Fed left interest rates unchanged, but projected rates could be higher by year-end.

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 77208.89, up by 53.27 points or 0.07% after trading in a range of 77044.39 and 77320.32. There were 10 stocks advancing against 20 stocks declining on the index.

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Healthcare up by 0.70%, Telecom up by 0.59%, Bankex up by 0.39%, FMCG up by 0.39% and PSU up by 0.31%, while IT down by 0.62%, TECK down by 0.48%, Power down by 0.16%, Capital Goods down by 0.15% and Metal down by 0.07% were the top losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were HDFC Bank up by 1.70%, Trent up by 1.38%, Bharat Electronics up by 1.13%, NTPC up by 0.48% and Interglobe Aviation up by 0.42%. On the flip side, Infosys down by 1.92%, Ultratech Cement down by 0.77%, Titan Company down by 0.66%, TCS down by 0.59% and Eternal down by 0.56% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, following a decline in surplus liquidity caused by advance tax payments, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has infused Rs 72,300 crore transient liquidity through two Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction into the banking system. 

The RBI injected Rs 50,016 crore through a two-day VRR auction at a cut-off rate of 5.26 per cent. It also infused another Rs 22,284 crore via a second two-day VRR auction at a cut-off rate of 5.26 per cent. Variable rate repo auctions are used by the RBI to manage liquidity mismatches in the banking system.

According to the RBI's data, as of June 16, surplus liquidity in the banking system stood at around Rs 23,881.21 crore, significantly lower than the surplus of around Rs 1.51 lakh crore recorded on June 15.

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 24109.25, up by 23.55 points or 0.10% after trading in a range of 24058.85 and 24139.65. There were 24 stocks advancing against 26 stocks declining on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were Max Healthcare Inst up by 5.64%, HDFC Bank up by 1.69%, Trent up by 1.33%, Eicher Motors up by 1.21% and Bharat Electronics up by 1.19%. On the flip side, Infosys down by 1.87%, Grasim Industries down by 1.03%, Ultratech Cement down by 0.85%, TCS down by 0.81% and Tech Mahindra down by 0.59% were the top losers. 

Asian markets are trading mixed; Nikkei 225 surged 1364.75 points or 1.95% to 71,267.00, Taiwan Weighted added 408.46 points or 0.89% to 46,285.85, KOSPI increased 127.27 points or 1.44% to 8,991.51 and Straits Times rose 8.11 points or 0.16% to 5,184.57.

On the flip side, Jakarta Composite plunged 67.31 points or 1.08% to 6,153.43, Shanghai Composite weakened 12.68 points or 0.31% to 4,095.40 and Hang Seng declined 428.16 points or 1.76% to 23,884.00. 
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