Sector Performance Today (31 August 2026): Pharma Leads, Infra Lags — Heatmap, Breadth and Most Active Stocks
Quick answer
Sector-wise market performance for 31 August 2026: Pharma up +0.66% and Infra at -6.01%, with advance-decline breadth, sector indices and the most active large caps.
Quick summary
Leading sector
Pharma
+0.66%
Lagging sector
Infra
-6.01%
Breadth
18 up / 32 down
Which sectors moved on 31 August 2026
Pharma was the strongest pocket at an average +0.66% across our large-cap universe, while Infra was the weakest at -6.01%. Market breadth stood at 18 advances against 32 declines out of 50 tracked names, with the Nifty 50 at 24,080.40 (-0.40%). Data is as of 05:00 pm IST.
Sector heatmap
| Sector | Average change | Advances | Declines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharma | +0.66% | 3 | 2 |
| IT | +0.46% | 2 | 3 |
| Financials | +0.24% | 5 | 5 |
| Consumer | -0.05% | 1 | 2 |
| Materials | -0.14% | 2 | 2 |
| Energy | -0.18% | 2 | 4 |
| Auto | -0.52% | 2 | 3 |
| FMCG | -0.98% | 1 | 4 |
| Metal | -1.80% | 0 | 3 |
| Telecom | -3.89% | 0 | 1 |
| Infra | -6.01% | 0 | 3 |
NSE sector indices
| Index | Level | % change |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | 58,024.95 | +0.91% |
| IT | 31,191.45 | -0.29% |
| Auto | 28,841.50 | -0.04% |
| FMCG | 46,025.55 | -1.72% |
| Pharma | 27,186.45 | +0.72% |
| Metal | 13,193.90 | -2.51% |
| Energy | 37,949.25 | -0.14% |
| Financials | 26,293.65 | +0.03% |
| Realty | 904.15 | -0.52% |
| Media | 1,557.35 | -2.92% |
| PSU Bank | 8,609.55 | +0.06% |
| Infra | 9,179.40 | -0.69% |
Most active stocks by volume
| Stock | Price (₹) | % change | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC BANK LTD | 709.00 | -1.59% | 7,81,57,067 |
| TATA STEEL LIMITED | 184.35 | -1.17% | 3,68,02,869 |
| RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LTD | 1,277.00 | -0.78% | 3,48,71,137 |
| ITC LTD | 255.50 | -4.11% | 2,45,75,845 |
| KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK LTD | 419.40 | -1.03% | 1,89,92,797 |
| NTPC LTD | 327.40 | -0.81% | 1,84,00,774 |
| BHARTI AIRTEL LIMITED | 1,811.90 | -3.89% | 1,69,21,326 |
| WIPRO LTD | 184.50 | +1.92% | 1,66,66,567 |
Strongest closes (near the day's high)
| Stock | Price (₹) | % change | Position in day range |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASIAN PAINTS LIMITED | 2,653.60 | +1.69% | 100% |
| AXIS BANK LIMITED | 1,300.00 | +2.69% | 100% |
| BAJAJ AUTO LIMITED | 12,130.00 | +1.81% | 100% |
| BAJAJ FINSERV LTD. | 2,021.00 | +0.94% | 100% |
| BHARAT PETROLEUM CORP LT | 324.05 | +1.48% | 100% |
| DIVI S LABORATORIES LTD | 9,467.00 | +2.41% | 100% |
Weakest closes (near the day's low)
| Stock | Price (₹) | % change | Position in day range |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHREE CEMENT LIMITED | 23,200.00 | -3.45% | 0% |
| MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LTD | 3,282.00 | -1.58% | 0% |
| KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK LTD | 419.40 | -1.03% | 0% |
| ITC LTD | 255.50 | -4.11% | 0% |
| HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LTD. | 1,967.40 | -2.19% | 0% |
| HERO MOTOCORP LIMITED | 5,450.00 | -2.75% | 0% |
Session takeaways
- Market pulse reads 36/100 — risk-off.
- NIFTY 50 is trading lower at 24,080.4 (-0.40%).
- Breadth in the large-cap universe: 18 advancing vs 32 declining, a negative bias.
- Pharma leads sectors at +0.66%, while Infra lags at -6.01%.
- Top large-cap gainer: SUN PHARMACEUTICAL IND L +3.26%.
- Biggest laggard: ADANI ENTERPRISES LIMITED -10.82%.
- Gold futures at ₹1,55,373 (-0.58%).
- Gap scanner: 6 large caps opened above the previous close, 6 below; widest intraday swing is ADANIENT at 10.70%.
How to read sector rotation
Sector leadership tells you where money is rotating, which matters more than a single index print. Broad breadth with two or three sectors leading is a healthy trend; a rising index with negative breadth is usually narrow, index-heavyweight driven and fragile. Stocks closing in the top quarter of their day range show buyers in control into the close, and heavy volume confirms the move.
Key takeaways
- Leading sector: Pharma (+0.66%) — higher at the time of writing
- Lagging sector: Infra (-6.01%) — lower at the time of writing
- Breadth: 18 up / 32 down
About this report
Every figure on this page is read from a primary source at the timestamp shown — exchange boards for equities and indices, the exchange bid book for IPOs, published association rates for bullion, and consolidated exchange quotes for crypto — with no estimation or third-party commentary. Historical fields such as trailing returns and 52-week extremes are computed on the adjusted daily series so splits and bonuses do not create false gaps. A timestamp outside market hours reflects the last traded or last published value, not a live tick.
Related live pages
Sources
- NSE India equity and sector index board data via our exchange data feed
- TrendRipperX market dashboard
“This report is generated automatically from live exchange and official association data at the time stamped above. Prices move continuously — verify on the source before acting. Nothing here is investment advice.”
Frequently asked questions
Why is sector Performance Today (31 August 2026): Pharma Leads, Infra Lags — Heatmap, Breadth and Most Active Stocks making headlines?
Sector-wise market performance for 31 August 2026: Pharma up +0.66% and Infra at -6.01%, with advance-decline breadth, sector indices and the most active large caps.
Which sectors moved on 31 August 2026?
Pharma was the strongest pocket at an average +0.66% across our large-cap universe, while Infra was the weakest at -6.01%. Market breadth stood at 18 advances against 32 declines out of 50 tracked names, with the Nifty 50 at 24,080.40 (-0.40%). Data is as of 05:00 pm IST.
What should you know about session takeaways?
Market pulse reads 36/100 — risk-off. NIFTY 50 is trading lower at 24,080.4 (-0.40%). Breadth in the large-cap universe: 18 advancing vs 32 declining, a negative bias. Pharma leads sectors at +0.66%, while Infra lags at -6.01%. Top large-cap gainer: SUN PHARMACEUTICAL IND L +3.26%.
How to read sector rotation?
Sector leadership tells you where money is rotating, which matters more than a single index print. Broad breadth with two or three sectors leading is a healthy trend; a rising index with negative breadth is usually narrow, index-heavyweight driven and fragile.
What does key takeaways mean for investors?
Leading sector: Pharma (+0.66%) — higher at the time of writing. Lagging sector: Infra (-6.01%) — lower at the time of writing. Breadth: 18 up / 32 down.
What are the key points on about this report?
Every figure on this page is read from a primary source at the timestamp shown — exchange boards for equities and indices, the exchange bid book for IPOs, published association rates for bullion, and consolidated exchange quotes for crypto — with no estimation or third-party commentary.
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