Sensex and Nifty End Lower on Profit Booking; Mid and Smallcaps Shine

The Indian stock market closed mixed today, with benchmark indices giving up early gains in the final hour as profit booking set in. While the Sensex and Nifty 50 slipped, broader markets stood tall, showing resilience amid global uncertainties.

Market Performance

• Sensex: Closed at 80,157.88, down 207 points (-0.26%).
  
  
• Nifty 50: Ended at 24,579.60, losing 45 points (-0.18%).
  
  
• BSE Midcap Index: Rose 0.27%.
  
  
• BSE Smallcap Index: Gained 0.64%.
  
  

Despite the benchmark indices ending lower, the overall market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies inched up to nearly ₹450 lakh crore, compared with ₹449 lakh crore in the previous session. This rise came largely from midcap and smallcap strength.

Why Did the Market Fall Today?

The slip in Sensex and Nifty 50 came after a strong previous session. Traders booked profits at higher levels, keeping an eye on weak global signals and cautious undertones in the domestic market. Concerns around tariff moves in the U.S. and the upcoming GST Council meeting added to the pressure.

Top Movers in Nifty 50

Gainers

A few heavyweights kept the market from slipping further:

• Tata Consumer Products: +2.77%
  
  
• Nestle India: +2.22%
  
  
• Power Grid Corporation: +2.20%
  
  

In fact, 26 stocks in the Nifty 50 pack ended the day higher.

Losers

On the flip side, banking and auto names dragged the index down:

• Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories: -2.34%
  
  
• Mahindra & Mahindra: -2.33%
  
  
• ICICI Bank: -1.42%
  
  

Sector and Stock Impact

• Reliance Industries, NTPC, Power Grid, and Hindustan Unilever provided crucial support that softened the blow.
  
  

This push-and-pull between banking weakness and strength in defensives kept the broader market more balanced than the headline indices suggested.

Summary

The trading day painted a picture of two markets. On one side, Sensex and Nifty dipped slightly on profit booking and weak cues. On the other hand, midcaps and smallcaps stood firm, helping the overall market cap edge higher.

Investors appeared cautious, with global concerns and domestic policy events in focus. Yet, resilience in select stocks and broader segments highlighted that market participation remains active beyond the large-cap names.