Autos lead Indian shares higher; easing oil, state election results aid sentiment

Bajaj Auto

04/05/2026 06:58

** India's Nifty 50 .NSEI and Sensex .BSESN rise 0.9% each, in a broad rally as cooling crude prices ease pressure on the oil-importing economy

** Fifteen of 16 major sectors advance, with autos .NIFTYAUTO leading gains

** The Nifty Auto index .NIFTYAUTO climbs 1.5%, powered by 3% jumps in Bajaj Auto BAJA.NS and Maruti Suzuki MRTI.NS after upbeat April sales

** Broader markets join the charge, with small-caps .NIFSMCP100 and mid-caps .NIFMDCP100 gaining 1% each in a sign of improving risk appetite

** Brent crude LCOc1 slips to $107.50 a barrel from last week's four-year high of $126, as expectations of de-escalation in the Iran conflict temper supply fears O/R

** Sentiment positive as trends showing BJP gains in West Bengal and a weaker performance of the opposition-bloc in Tamil Nadu point strengthen ruling NDA's position in the upper house of the parliament, analysts say

** Hindustan Unilever HLL.NS advances 4.4% after posting higher March-quarter profit, helped by demand lifted by tax cuts

** Kotak Mahindra Bank HLL.NS falls 2.2% as brokerages flag margin pressure in fiscal 2027 from rising deposit costs.

(Reporting by Bharath Rajeswaran in Bengaluru)

((bharath.rajeswaran@thomsonreuters.com; +91 9769003463;))