New Delhi, Dec. 12 -- Driven by a strong rally in the metal counters, the Indian stock market stayed firm for the second session on Friday, December 12, pushing the key front-line indices to settle above key levels.

The Nifty 50 closed the session 124 points, or 0.48%, higher, reclaiming the 26,000 mark at 26,022, while the S&P BSE Sensex finished at 85,206, up 388 points, or 0.46%, from the previous close. The broader markets also shone, with the Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices rallying 1.18% and 1%, respectively.

Investor sentiment was buoyed by a drop in the US Dollar index, coupled with expectations of an imminent trade deal between India and the US, and hopes of an earnings recovery in the second half of FY26, all s...