Indian equity benchmarks closed modestly higher on Friday, with Nifty advancing 64.60 points (0.27%) to 23,719.30 and BSE Sensex rising 231.99 points (0.31%) to 75,415.35. Financial stocks led the gains, though sharp weakness in pharma and healthcare shares capped overall advances. The volatility gauge India VIX ended at 17.91, down by 0.49% from the previous closing. According to The Economic Times, analysts noted the market's indecisive range-bound movement, with the Nifty failing to close above the crucial 23,800 resistance level for the second consecutive session. Technical experts suggest immediate support is placed at 23,600, with a decisive breakout above 23,800 needed for further upward momentum.
Several companies have fixed record dates for substantial dividend payments between May 25-30, 2026. Tata Consultancy Services Ltd has set its record date for a final dividend of ₹31 per share, while LTM Ltd. will turn ex-date for a final dividend of ₹53 per share on May 25. ITC Ltd. has fixed a final dividend of ₹8 per share on May 27, and Page Industries Ltd. will distribute a substantial interim dividend of ₹150 per share on the same date. Bajaj Auto Ltd. has announced a hefty ₹150 per share final dividend on May 29, and GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd. will distribute ₹57 per share on the same day.
Multiple companies will trade ex-dividend throughout the week. On May 26, Dhampur Sugar Mills Ltd. (₹2), GPT Infraprojects Ltd. (Re 1), Hatsun Agro Product Ltd. (₹10), and IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd. (Re 0.05) will trade ex-dividend. Siyaram Silk Mills Ltd. has announced a special dividend of ₹4 per share on May 25, while Aptech Ltd. and Chemcon Speciality Chemicals Ltd. will see record dates on May 28 for interim dividends of ₹4.5 and ₹6.5 per share, respectively. Caplin Point Laboratories Ltd. will close the week with an interim dividend record date on May 30.
Corporate restructuring actions are also scheduled during the week. PAE Ltd. has fixed May 25 as the record date for a 6:1 bonus issue, while F Mec International Financial Services Ltd. will undergo both a 1:10 bonus issue and a stock split from face value ₹10 to ₹2 on May 26. IB Infotech Enterprises Ltd. will implement a stock split reducing its face value from ₹10 to Re 1 on the same day. Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) will be in focus on May 29 as the insurer has announced a 1:1 bonus issue for shareholders.
Several companies have scheduled additional corporate actions during the week. Shah Metacorp Ltd. has scheduled a rights issue record date on May 27, while CyberTech Systems and Software Ltd., Dhanuka Agritech Ltd., and Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. will be tracked for buyback-related developments on May 29. Infrastructure investment trusts including Anzen India Energy Yield Plus Trust, Cube Highways Trust, and Maple Infrastructure Trust will see income distribution record dates on May 27. Bank of India will distribute ₹4.65 per share on May 29, and other companies including ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd., JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd., UNO Minda Ltd., and Eris Lifesciences Ltd. will also see dividend-related record dates.
