31.07.202604:41:01UTC+00Sensex Opens Little Changed

India’s BSE Sensex opened virtually unchanged at 77,948 on Friday, after two consecutive sessions of gains. Strength in financial and auto stocks offset weakness in technology shares, leaving the broader market largely flat.

Technology counters faced selling pressure as investors booked profits following July’s strong rally, in line with a broader pullback in AI-linked tech stocks across Asian markets.

Financials outperformed, led by Bajaj Finance, which jumped about 6.3% after posting quarterly results that beat expectations. Auto stocks also advanced, with Mahindra & Mahindra rising around 2.8% on the back of robust quarterly earnings.

Overall sentiment stayed supported by sustained foreign fund inflows, easing crude oil prices, and a softer US dollar, while investors remained focused on the upcoming corporate earnings season. Other notable gainers included Astra Micro (up 12.8%), Netweb (7.4%), and Hyundai (6.9%).

The benchmark index remained on track to close July with a monthly gain of roughly 1.9%.