The Indian stock market closed the day in a cautious mood on Friday, December 26, as investors booked profits amid muted trading and a lack of fresh market triggers. The Sensex fell 367 points (0.43%) to 85,041.45, while the Nifty 50 settled at 26,042.30, down 100 points (0.38%). Market sentiment was subdued, reflecting the thin volumes typical of year-end trading.
The BSE Midcap index slipped 0.18%, and the Smallcap index dropped 0.34%. Overall, the market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies contracted by about ₹1 lakh crore, falling to nearly ₹474 lakh crore from ₹475 lakh crore in the previous session.
On a weekly basis, however, the indices showed resilience. For the week ending December 26:
- Sensex gained 112 points (0.13%), snapping a two-week losing streak.
- Nifty 50 rose 0.30%, ending its three-week decline.
Market Performance Today: Why Did the Market Fall?
The fall in the market was largely driven by profit booking and muted volumes, with investors taking a cautious stance ahead of the upcoming December quarter earnings announcements. With TCS and HCL Tech scheduled to announce Q3FY26 results on January 12, market participants stayed on the sidelines.
Key factors influencing the decline:
- Thin year-end trading volumes reducing market liquidity.
- Lack of fresh domestic and global triggers to sustain momentum.
- Continued FII outflows weighing on the Indian rupee.
- Diminished optimism around the Santa Claus rally.
Sectoral and Stock Highlights
Top Gainers in Nifty 50
A few stocks stood out from the overall decline, closing in positive territory, led by:
- Titan Company: +2.17%
- Hindalco Industries: +1%
- Nestle India: +0.82%
Top Losers in Nifty 50
Several major stocks faced pressure, including:
- Asian Paints: -1.40%
- Shriram Finance: -1.37%
- Bajaj Finance: -1.30%
Overall, 35 stocks ended lower in the Nifty 50.
Sectoral Performance
While most sectors slipped, a few showed minor gains:
- Nifty Metal: +0.59%
- Consumer Durables: +0.34%
- FMCG: +0.03%
On the flip side, notable declines came from:
- Nifty IT: -1.03% (top loser)
- Nifty Media: -0.62%
- Nifty Auto: -0.52%
- Financial Services: -0.49%
- Nifty Bank: -0.29% (closed at 59,011.35)
Most Active Counters by Volume
Trading volumes showed high activity in certain counters:
- Vodafone Idea: 51.7 crore shares
- Tata Silver ETF: 17.43 crore shares
- Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC): 16.4 crore shares
Stocks with Significant Gains
On the BSE, 11 stocks surged over 15%, including:
Advance-Decline Ratio
Out of 4,379 stocks traded on BSE:
- 1,745 advanced
- 2,456 declined
- 178 remained unchanged
52-Week Highs and Lows
Investors also witnessed significant intraday price milestones:
- 52-week highs: 112 stocks, including Vedanta, Titan, and Eicher Motors
- 52-week lows: 120 stocks, including ACC, Poly Medicure, PCBL Chemical, HFCL, and Embassy Developments
Summary: Sensex and Nifty News Today
The market wrapped up the day with cautious sentiment and modest declines. Year-end thin trading, lack of fresh catalysts, and profit booking dominated the session. While the Sensex and Nifty 50 fell marginally, weekly gains indicate that investors are selectively optimistic, keeping an eye on the upcoming Q3FY26 earnings announcements.
Investors are expected to maintain a watchful approach in the coming days, as global cues and corporate earnings will likely dictate the market’s near-term direction.
Source: Livemint
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