The Bank Nifty index traded 298.20 points lower at 55,429.25, marking a 0.54 per cent decline during Friday’s session as banking stocks displayed mixed performance. The index opened at 55,647.95 against the previous close of 55,727.45, with trading volumes reaching 816.02 lakh shares.

Public sector banks led the gainers with Canara Bank surging 2.24 per cent to ₹118, followed by Punjab National Bank at 2.08 per cent and Bank of Baroda gaining 1.69 per cent. State Bank of India posted a modest 1.01 per cent increase to ₹863. However, private sector heavyweights weighed on the index, with HDFC Bank declining 1.35 per cent to ₹963.70 and ICICI Bank falling 1.28 per cent to ₹1,403.50.

  1. Public sector banks led the gainers:
  2. Canara Bank surged 2.24% to ₹118
  3. Punjab National Bank (PNB) rose 2.08%
  4. Bank of Baroda gained 1.69%
  5. State Bank of India (SBI) posted a 1.01% increase to ₹863

Market activity remained robust with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank dominating trading volumes, contributing ₹550.53 crore and ₹542.77 crore respectively to the total turnover of ₹2,928.65 crore. Canara Bank emerged as the most active by volume with 289.02 lakh shares traded.

Technical analysts maintain a cautiously optimistic outlook despite today’s decline. Choice Equity’s Amruta Shinde noted that while Bank Nifty faces resistance at 56,000-56,200 levels, key support remains at 55,600. Bajaj Broking expects the index to target 56,000-56,150 levels, citing the 61.8 per cent retracement of the recent decline.

Foreign institutional investors purchased equities worth ₹366 crore on September 18, while domestic institutions remained strong buyers with ₹3,326 crore inflows, providing underlying support to the sector.

Published on September 19, 2025