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Key gauges continue to trade higher in morning deals
May-22-2026

Indian equity benchmarks continued to trade higher in morning deals, amid easing oil prices and a rally in global markets. Hopes of progress in the US-Iran peace negotiations also added to markets' optimism. Traders took support with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s statement that investment commitments from American companies in the last six months are estimated to exceed $60 billion, including major data centre investments by firms such as Amazon and Google. Some support also came as US Ambassador Sergio Gor stated that the US is looking forward to sealing the proposed bilateral trade agreement with India that will facilitate expanding market access, reduce barriers, and create greater certainty for businesses. On the global front, Asian markets were trading higher following the positive cues from Wall Street overnight, on easing crude oil prices and global inflation pressures as traders watched the ongoing diplomatic process to end U.S.-Iran hostilities in the Middle East with positivity. 

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 75621.17, up by 437.81 points or 0.58% after trading in a range of 75230.75 and 75723.31. There were 22 stocks advancing against 8 stocks declining on the index.

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Bankex up by 1.10%, Telecom up by 0.88%, Consumer Durables up by 0.81%, Basic Materials up by 0.60% and Metal up by 0.51%, while Realty down by 0.90%, Healthcare down by 0.87%, Power down by 0.23%, Oil & Gas down by 0.23% and FMCG down by 0.18% were the top losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were Asian Paints up by 2.03%, ICICI Bank up by 1.69%, Axis Bank up by 1.68%, Trent up by 1.62% and HDFC Bank up by 1.47%. On the flip side, ITC down by 1.66%, Power Grid Corporation down by 1.52%, Sun Pharma down by 1.14%, Bharat Electronics down by 0.71% and Bharti Airtel down by 0.51% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said that it will carry out a three-day variable rate repo (VRR) auction for a notified amount of Rs 1 lakh crore on May 22, 2026. The RBI said the auction is scheduled from 9:30 AM to 10 AM, and the reversal of these funds will take place on May 25.

It stated ‘On a review of current and evolving liquidity conditions, it has been decided to conduct a Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction on Friday, May 22, 2026.’ Liquidity surplus in the banking system has narrowed in the last few days, especially after the goods and services tax outflows. This has led to an uptick in the overnight money market rates.

According to RBI data, as of May 20, liquidity in the banking system is estimated at around Rs 1.29 lakh crore, down sharply from Rs 2.58 lakh crore on April 30. With an aim to provide liquidity to the banking system and arrest rising overnight money market instrument rates, the RBI has conducted five VRR auctions in the month of May so far, and one on April 30. However, it received a muted response from the participants despite the narrowing of surplus systemic liquidity.

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 23778.15, up by 123.45 points or 0.52% after trading in a range of 23671.00 and 23800.15. There were 36 stocks advancing against 14 stocks declining on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were Asian Paints up by 2.09%, Shriram Finance up by 1.86%, Axis Bank up by 1.83%, ICICI Bank up by 1.69% and JIO Financial Services up by 1.66%. On the flip side, Max Healthcare Inst down by 6.24%, ITC down by 1.49%, Power Grid Corporation down by 1.40%, Sun Pharma down by 1.04% and ONGC down by 0.93% were the top losers.

All Asian markets were trading higher; Nikkei 225 surged 1694.86 points or 2.75% to 63,379.00, Taiwan Weighted added 890.89 points or 2.15% to 42,259.10, Jakarta Composite gained 18.5 points or 0.3% to 6,113.44, Shanghai Composite strengthened 25.93 points or 0.64% to 4,103.21, KOSPI increased 48.55 points or 0.62% to 7,864.14, Hang Seng advanced 352.48 points or 1.39% to 25,739.00 and Straits Times rose 19.45 points or 0.39% to 5,065.16. 
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