**Market Brief: Thursday Closing Update** **Indices Snap Volatility, End in Green** Indian equities staged a smart recovery on Thursday, January 29, reversing early losses to close higher for the third straight session. The turnaround was fueled by optimism surrounding the **Economic Survey 2025-26** and supportive global cues, despite lingering geopolitical headwinds. **Closing Figures** * **Sensex:** Ended at **82,566.37**, up **222 points** (+0.27%). * **Nifty 50:** Closed at **25,418.90**, gaining **76 points** (+0.30%). * **Bank Nifty:** Rose **0.60%** to settle at **59,958**. **Key Drivers** The **Economic Survey** lifted sentiment by projecting a robust GDP growth of **6.8%–7.2%** for FY27, reinforcing confidence in the domestic economy ahead of the Union Budget. A late surge in buying helped benchmarks recover from the morning selloff, with **Metal stocks** leading the charge (up **3%**) on firming commodity prices. **Geopolitical & Global Cues** Investors remained cautious amid escalating **U.S.–Iran tensions**, following warnings from Washington that pushed crude oil prices higher. **Brent Crude** broke past the **$70 per barrel** mark, while the **US Federal Reserve** held interest rates steady, as widely expected. **Commodities Watch** * **Gold:** Hit a fresh record high of **₹17,900** per 10 grams (approx. **$5,600** globally), acting as a safe haven against geopolitical risks. * **Currency:** The Rupee remained under pressure, slipping to record lows against the dollar amid foreign fund outflows. **Sectoral Performance** While **Metals** and **Financials** supported the index, defensive sectors like **IT, FMCG, and Pharma** witnessed profit-booking, capping broader gains. Market breadth was mixed, with volatility expected to persist as the street awaits the **Union Budget** presentation on February 1.