The stock market ended little changed on Thursday, erasing most of the day’s losses in a late-hour rebound on monthly derivatives expiry, as gains in metal and financial stocks offset weakness in IT and select midcaps.

The NSE Nifty 50 index closed down 30 points, or 0.12%, at 25,936, while the S&P BSE Sensex slipped 151 points, or 0.18%, to end at 84,628. The Nifty recouped more than 140 points from the day’s lows to hold above the 25,900 level.

Metal stocks led the recovery, with Tata Steel and JSW Steel among the top gainers on the Nifty after brokerage upgrades citing improved pricing outlook and margin recovery. The Nifty Metal index rose nearly 1.5%.

Financials also provided support, with SBI Life Insurance extending gains for a second straight session after posting a strong Septe

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