25.06.202604:22:57UTC+00Sensex Continues Uptrend for Second Day

India’s BSE Sensex climbed around 0.5% to 77,376 in early trade on Thursday, extending the previous session’s gains as softer crude oil prices and an improvement in global risk sentiment bolstered investor appetite. Sentiment was supported by a pullback in Brent crude to levels last seen before recent Iran-related supply concerns, easing pressure on India’s import bill and inflation outlook.

Financial stocks remained in focus after the RBI indicated it was too early to consider interest-rate hikes and announced measures to support system liquidity. Investors also tracked key corporate developments, including regulatory approval for ICICI Bank to increase its stake in its insurance subsidiary and management changes at Life Insurance Corporation of India, which said its CFO will step down effective July 14.

On the gainers’ side, Relaxo jumped 12.9%, Ramco Systems rose 8.1%, and HFCL advanced 5.0%, while Mahindra & Mahindra and Shriram Finance added 2.5% and 2.0%, respectively, in early deals.