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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nBenchmark equity indices rallied sharply on Wednesday as a steep fall in crude oil prices and optimism around a possible US-Iran agreement boosted investor sentiment, PTI reported.The 30-share BSE Sensex<\/a> surged 940.73 points, or 1.22 per cent, to close at 77,958.52. During the session, it climbed as much as 1,004.99 points to hit an intraday high of 78,022.78.The NSE Nifty<\/a> advanced 298.15 points, or 1.24 per cent, to settle at 24,330.95.The rally gathered momentum in the latter half of the session amid strong buying in banking, financial and airline stocks, while positive global cues also supported markets.InterGlobe Aviation emerged as the top Sensex gainer, soaring 6.6 per cent after crude oil prices dropped sharply and the government announced a credit guarantee scheme for airlines impacted by the Middle East conflict.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Broader markets mirrored the rally, with the BSE SmallCap Select index jumping 2.25 per cent and the MidCap Select index gaining 2.10 per cent.\u201cThe trigger was largely global \u2014 renewed optimism around a potential US\u2013Iran peace deal led to a sharp decline in crude oil prices, offering immediate relief to an import-heavy economy like India,\u201d said Hariprasad K, Research Analyst and Founder, Livelong Wealth, PTI quoted.Ajit Mishra, SVP-Research at Religare Broking Ltd, said supportive domestic measures such as the government\u2019s credit guarantee scheme also aided banking stocks.The rally followed comments by US President Donald Trump indicating progress in talks with Iran.\u201cGreat progress has been made toward a complete and final agreement with representatives of Iran,\u201d Trump said in a post on Truth Social.He added that the US had agreed to temporarily pause \u201cProject Freedom\u201d \u2014 launched to escort ships stranded due to the Strait of Hormuz blockade \u2014 to allow negotiations to continue.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also announced that \u201cOperation Epic Fury\u201d, launched on February 28, had concluded.\u201cOperation Epic Fury is concluded. We achieved the objectives of that operation. We’re not cheering for an additional situation to occur. We would prefer the path of peace,\u201d Rubio said at a White House press conference.Brent crude prices tumbled nearly 8 per cent to around $101.1 per barrel, easing concerns over inflation and India\u2019s import bill.\u201cIndian equity markets closed on a positive note as renewed optimism around a US-Iran peace deal and easing energy prices provided the necessary catalyst,\u201d said Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money.Among sectoral indices, telecom, services, PSU banks, realty and financial stocks led the gains, while energy, FMCG and utilities lagged.A total of 2,862 stocks advanced on the BSE, while 1,365 declined.In Asia, South Korea\u2019s Kospi surged more than 6 per cent, while Shanghai and Hong Kong markets also closed higher. European markets were trading sharply higher, while US stocks had ended in positive territory overnight.Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 3,621.58 crore on Tuesday, according to exchange data.<\/div>\nNifty50 top gainers
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Nifty50 top losers
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BSE Sensex top gainers
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BSE Sensex top losers
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