Benchmark indices sustained morning gains at midday on Friday, with the Sensex trading 376.43 points higher at 85,194.56 and the Nifty holding above the 26,000 mark at 26,013.25, up 114.70 points or 0.44 per cent. Metal stocks continued to drive the rally that began with a gap-up opening, while select FMCG and auto counters faced selling pressure.

Tata Steel led the Nifty50 gainers, surging 2.98 per cent to ₹171.34, followed by Hindalco which advanced 2.78 per cent to ₹847.25. Larsen & Toubro climbed 1.81 per cent to ₹4,076.50, while Eternal gained 1.79 per cent to ₹296.15. JSW Steel rounded off the top five gainers with a 1.77 per cent rise to ₹1,125.

On the losing side, Hindustan Unilever declined 1.76 per cent to ₹2,265, emerging as the top laggard. Bajaj Auto fell 0.78 per c

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