Markets end flat Thursday; Sensex closes up 35 points, Nifty adds 10

Investor sentiment was cautiously optimistic as the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) reached out to the telecom regulator (TRAI) for its views on spectrum pricing, allotment, and auction modalities. The move raised expectations of potential changes in telecom policy that could impact the next round of spectrum sales.

On the global front, Asian markets closed mostly higher, led by gains in Nikkei 225 and Hang Seng, while European indices opened firm. U.S. equity futures indicated a positive start, buoyed by easing trade war concerns and improving market sentiment.

In the currency market, the Indian rupee held steady against the U.S. dollar, while in commodities, gold prices declined as the dollar strengthened. Crude oil prices edged higher on expectations of summer demand.

Top Nifty gainers on Thursday included Infosys (+1.2%), Hindustan Unilever (+0.9%), Larsen & Toubro (+0.8%), while losers were Axis Bank (–1.1%), Tata Steel (–0.9%), and JSW Steel (–0.7%).

Market participants now await India’s GDP data due later this week, along with US PCE inflation data, for further direction.