Indian markets closed higher on November 16, with Nifty finishing above 26,000 after rising 0.4 percent and Sensex remaining firm due to strength in auto and metal counters. Broader sentiment improved as Q2 FY26 results showed revenue growth of 9.62 percent, net profit rising 36.15 percent year-on-year, and gross profit increasing 12.62 percent, driven mainly by midcap and small-cap companies. Globally, 82 percent of US firms surpassed Q3 earnings forecasts, helping push S&P 500 composite earnings growth above 13 percent year-on-year and strengthening market optimism.