Closing Bell: Sensex and Nifty end higher amid a volatile trading session.

A choppy trading session was seen on Tuesday with IT and select Oil and Gas stocks pulling the indices lower.

Domestic equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, moved within a tight range around the flatline in a choppy session. Still, the benchmark indices closed higher on the fourth consecutive session.

At the closing bell on October 12, the Sensex was up by 148.53 points or 0.25% at 60,284.31, while the Nifty ended up by 46 points or 0.26% at 17,992.00. On the decline-advance, about 1664 shares have advanced, 1483 shares declined, and 115 shares were unchanged.

Losses in IT and selected Oil & Gas shares pulled the indices lower. However, gains in auto and consumer goods shares kept the downside in check. Broader indices witnessed a mixed trading session, with the smallcap gauge going up 0.3% in late morning deals. All eyes were on quarterly earnings reports from India Inc for domestic cues.

On the sectoral front, the BSE Consumer Durables index jumped 2.92%, while auto, FMCG, metal and PSU Bank stocks rose by 1-2%. In the broader markets, BSE midcap and smallcap indices closed in green by rising 0.65% and 0.26%, respectively.

Among the top gainers today were, Titan Company, Bajaj Auto, Bajaj Finserv and SBI, while top losers for the day were HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra, Ultra Tech Cement, TCS and M&M.

In Tuesday's trading session a hectic activity was witnessed in the PSU banking sector, while stocks from the two-wheeler and consumer durables saw good demand in line with the festive season. 

According to market experts, while we did see a continuation of profit booking in IT stocks, the small and midcap space was buzzing with accumulation across sectors. Also, a late surge in the metal index led by aluminium stocks gave support to the market rally.