The Indian stock market demonstrated resilience on Monday, May 18, with benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty 50 closing marginally higher despite intraday volatility. According to reports from Live Mint, the Sensex ended 77 points, or 0.10%, higher at 75,315.04, while the Nifty 50 edged up 6 points, or 0.03%, to settle at 23,649.95. The recovery came after both indices hit intraday lows - the Sensex plunged over 1,000 points before rebounding more than 1,100 points, while the Nifty 50 hit an intraday low of 23,317 before recovering over 300 points from the day's bottom.
Market sentiment is expected to remain constructive as trends in the Gift Nifty index signal a positive opening for Tuesday. As reported by Live Mint, Gift Nifty was trading near the 23,649 mark, up over 31.50 points from the previous close of Nifty futures. Hariprasad K, SEBI-registered Research Analyst and Founder of Livelong Wealth, noted that "Indian equity markets are likely to begin today's session on a positive note, with Gift Nifty trading near the 23,708 zone compared to yesterday's Nifty close of 23,649." He attributed the improved sentiment to supportive global cues and easing geopolitical fears following recent volatility-driven sessions.
Several major companies are set to announce their Q4 results today, creating significant market focus. According to Live Mint, Bharat Electronics, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Mankind Pharma, and Zydus Lifesciences will remain in focus as companies declare their quarterly results. These announcements are expected to provide crucial insights into corporate performance and market sentiment for the quarter ended March 2026.
Indian Oil Corporation emerged as a standout performer with exceptional financial results. As reported by Live Mint, the company posted a 56.6% year-on-year rise in net profit to ₹11,377.51 crore, up from ₹7,264.85 crore in the same period last year. The strong performance was driven by robust marketing and refining margins. Meanwhile, Eicher Motors announced that the Andhra Pradesh government has approved the allotment of a 215.7-acre land parcel in Tada for its proposed greenfield manufacturing expansion project, which is expected to involve an investment of up to ₹2,500 crore.
The Adani Group received significant positive developments as the US Department of Justice withdrew all criminal charges against billionaire Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani, bringing the high-profile securities and wire fraud case in New York to a close after prosecutors determined the allegations were no longer tenable. Additionally, Vascon Engineers announced securing a Letter of Intent valued at ₹131.58 crore from Reliance Industries for construction work related to the company's Jamnagar expansion project.
