New Delhi, Sept. 18 -- The Indian stock market extended gains for a third consecutive session on Thursday, September 18, recovering strongly in the final hour after earlier volatility, as the US Federal Reserve's first rate cut in 2025 boosted risk-on sentiment and progress in US-India trade talks supported benchmark indices in closing above key levels.

The Nifty 50 ended the session up 0.37%, closing above the 25,400 mark at 25,423, while the S&P BSE Sensex surged 0.39% to finish at 83,013. The broader markets also closed higher, with the Nifty Midcap 100 rising 0.38% and the Nifty Smallcap 100 rallying 0.29%.

Sector-wise, the Nifty Pharma led the gains, rising 1.50%, followed by Nifty IT and Nifty Private Bank, which added 0.83% and 0...