<h1>Equity markets finish marginally higher as intraday gains slip amid sanctions on Russian oil firms and conglomerate sell-off</h1> Equity benchmarks closed marginally higher after strong intraday gains were largely erased by end-of-day profit-taking triggered by new sanctions on two major Russian oil firms and a significant decline in a heavyweight conglomerate's stock. Technology and IT sector buying, plus hopes for a bilateral trade agreement, supported gains, while broader market sentiment was dampened by geopolitical risk and oil price spikes following the sanctions. Foreign institutional investors showed net purchases, citing expected earnings recovery and policy incentives. Market volatility reflected interplay between regulatory actions abroad, sectoral flows, and investor profit-booking ahead of ongoing trade negotiations.