Asian markets traded higher on Friday, following an overnight rally on Wall Street as geopolitical tensions eased, and ahead of the Bank of Japan's interest rate decision.

US stock market ended higher on Thursday after President Donald Trump rescinded Greenland tariff threats on European allies.

Here's a table showing how US stocks performed on Thursday:

Source: Equitymaster

At present, the BSE Sensex is trading 40 points higher, and the NSE Nifty is trading 11 points higher.

TCS, Asian Paints, and HCL Tech are among the top gainers today.

Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, Bharat Elec, on the other hand, are among the top losers today.

The BSE Midcap index is trading 0.2% higher, and the BSE Smallcap index is trading 0.1% lower.

Sectoral indices are trading mixed today, with stocks in the metal sector and the IT sector witnessing buying. Meanwhile, stocks in realty sector and the power sector witnessed selling pressure.

The rupee is trading at Rs 90 against the US dollar.
 

Ashoka Buildcon Wins New Infrastructure Orders

Ashoka Buildcon Ltd has received a new project order from the Public Works Department, Daman, for building a signature bridge.

The bridge will connect Jampore Sea Front Road near the Lighthouse to Devka Sea Front Road at Parkota Sheri in Daman.

The total project value is Rs 3.08 billion (bn).It will be executed on a design, build, and operate basis, and the company has 30 months to complete the design and construction.

Earlier, in December last year, Ashoka Buildcon also secured an additional work order worth Rs 4.47 bn (including taxes) from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

This additional work relates to the construction of two flyover arms at the T-junction at Maharashtra Nagar on the Sion-Panvel Highway in Mumbai.

Both contracts have been awarded by domestic government authorities.

ONGC Strengthens Ethane Logistics Through JVs

ONGC has completed its investment in two joint venture companies formed with Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines to strengthen ethane transportation to India.

ONGC has been allotted equity shares in Bharat Ethane One IFSC Private Limited and Bharat Ethane Two IFSC Private Limited through a private placement. Following this, ONGC now holds a 50% stake in each joint venture, with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines holding the remaining stake.

The two joint ventures were incorporated in September 2025 and are registered at GIFT City, Gandhinagar. They are yet to begin operations.

Each joint venture will own one very large ethane carrier (VLEC), which will be used to transport ethane from the United States to meet the feedstock requirements of ONGC Petro additions Limited (OPaL).

ONGC said all required approvals, including from DIPAM, have been received and the transaction is expected to be completed in January 2026.

The move is aimed at securing long-term ethane supply for OPaL and expanding ONGC's presence in specialised shipping through a strategic partnership.
 

NTPC Green Energy Partners Uttar Pradesh Projects

NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a subsidiary of NTPC Limited, has entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Uttar Pradesh to develop renewable energy and green hydrogen projects in the state.

The MoU was signed on 22 January 2026, during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.

The agreement was executed by Vijay Kiran Anand, CEO of Invest UP and UPSIDA, and DMR Panda, Executive Director of NGEL, in the presence of a state minister.

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