Stock market recap, April 20 -- Indian equity markets ended the week on a firm note, with the Nifty 50 rising 156.8 points, or 0.65%, to close at 24,353.55. Easing tensions in West Asia and a cooling India VIX, down about 5% to 17.21, lifted sentiment, pushing investors into a risk-on mode.

Market breadth was strong, with an advance-decline ratio of 2.6:1 as 2,364 stocks rose against 894 declines on the NSE.

Among sectors, the Nifty FMCG index led gains, climbing 2.65% on the back of a nearly 5% jump in Hindustan Unilever, driven by upbeat volume growth expectations. Nifty Oil & Gas and Metals also advanced more than 1% each, tracking stabilising global crude and commodity prices.

IT was the only laggard, ending marginally lower amid c...