Indian equities ended flat with a negative bias in Monday’s trade. The Nifty 50 slipped 0.08 % to finish at 26 027, while the BSE Sensex edged down 0.06 % to 85 213. Despite the muted closing in frontline indices, banking and broader markets managed small gains as investors selectively bought large banks, infrastructure and FMCG names.
Top Indices and Sectoral Performance
| Index / Sector (close) | Points | % change | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | 26 027.30 | -0.08 % | Main blue‑chip index; slipped below 26 100 after profit‑booking at record levels. |
| BSE Sensex | 85 213.36 | -0.06 % | 30‑share index; remained range‑bound amid cautious global mood. |
| Nifty Bank | 48 143.55 | +0.86 % | Outperformed; strong gains in HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank. |
| BSE Bankex | 59 462 | +0.12 % | Reflects performance of large banking stocks. |
| BSE Midcap | 46 552.50 | +0.16 % | Broader mid‑cap gauge ended higher as investors rotated into quality midcaps. |
| BSE Smallcap | 51 096 | +0.41 % | Outperformed; continued momentum in select micro‑cap and PSU names. |
| Nifty Auto | – | -0.9 % | Autos were the weakest sector due to caution on export tariffs and soft sales. |
| Nifty FMCG | – | +0.5 % (approx.) | Consumer staples supported indices; Hindustan Unilever and Tata Consumer gained. |
| Nifty IT | – | +0.5 % (approx.) | Tech stocks rallied on firm global software spending outlook; Wipro and HCL Tech were among gainers. |
| Nifty Metal | – | Flat | Metals were range‑bound; Tata Steel ended slightly higher while JSW Steel fell. |
Percentages are approximate based on end‑of‑day moves. Where official closing values aren’t provided, directional changes are indicated.
Key Market Statistics
| Statistic | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Advances vs declines | ~1 667 advances, 1 471 declines, 100 unchanged | Market breadth remained slightly positive as broader buying offset frontline selling. |
| 52‑week high / low | ~68 stocks hit new 52‑week highs; 101 stocks hit 52‑week lows | Suggests select pockets of strength but underlying caution. |
| Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) | Net sellers ~₹1 114 crore in the last session; December outflows approx. US$2 billion | Persistent foreign selling continued amid concerns over valuations and global risk‑off. |
| Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) | Net buyers ~₹3 869 crore | Domestic funds cushioned the market by absorbing FII supply. |
| Rupee vs US dollar | Closed near ₹90.8/$, a record low | Depreciating currency weighed on sentiment; triggered by trade‑deal uncertainty and foreign outflows. |
| Brent crude oil | Around US$61.4 per barrel | Stable energy prices limited inflationary worries and supported oil importers. |
Top Gainers and Losers
| Top gainers (Nifty 50 & large caps) | % change | Sector | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) | +2 % | Aviation | Third straight gain; operations stabilised after flight‑cancellation issues. |
| Trent Ltd | +1.5 % | Retail | Continued strength after strong quarterly results and expansion plans. |
| Hindustan Unilever | +1.3 % | FMCG | Defensive buying as investors sought safety in consumer staples. |
| HCL Technologies | +1.2 % | IT services | Benefited from robust demand for digital services and favourable currency. |
| Wipro | +1.0 % | IT services | Extended gains after expanding partnership with Google Cloud and introducing AI tools. |
| Top losers (Nifty 50 & large caps) | % change | Sector | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahindra & Mahindra | -2.1 % | Auto | Investors booked profits amid worries about export tariffs and weak tractor sales. |
| Eicher Motors | -1.8 % | Auto | Pressure on auto names; rising inventory concerns and tariff fears. |
| ONGC | -1.6 % | Energy | Lower crude‑oil prices and profit‑booking hit oil producers. |
| Bajaj Auto | -1.5 % | Auto | Sector weakness dragged the stock down despite healthy domestic volumes. |
| JSW Steel | -1.2 % | Metals | Steel stocks eased on worries that China’s demand slowdown could weigh on prices. |
Percentage changes are approximate closing moves to one decimal place.
What Moved the Market
- Foreign outflows and trade‑deal uncertainty: The largest drag came from continued FII selling and uncertainty over an India–US trade agreement. FIIs have withdrawn about US$2 billion from Indian equities so far in December. A lack of progress on the deal kept investors cautious and weighed on the rupee.
- Rupee weakness: The rupee slid to a record low near ₹90.8 per dollar. Currency depreciation, together with the threat of higher US tariffs on Indian exports, hurt sentiment toward exporters and auto companies.
- Sector rotation: Banks and selected IT and FMCG names saw buying interest. Banks benefited from expectations of steady domestic credit growth and were perceived as safe bets during volatility. Autos, in contrast, declined after Mexico hinted at tariff hikes on vehicles and components, prompting global supply‑chain worries.
- Global mood: Asian and European markets were weak amid expectations of US inflation data and caution over China’s property woes. US stocks had logged their worst session in three weeks on Friday, prompting risk‑off sentiment. However, Brent crude remained around US$61/barrel, limiting fears of an energy‑driven sell‑off.
- Stock‑specific catalysts: Indigo rallied on improved flight operations. Hindustan Unilever gained as investors rotated into consumer staples. Wipro and HCL Tech advanced following announcements of artificial‑intelligence partnerships and order wins. Conversely, Mahindra & Mahindra and other auto names succumbed to profit‑booking. Oil and gas producer ONGC fell with crude prices.
Global Cues
- US and China data in focus: Traders awaited US inflation and retail‑sales numbers and key Chinese macro data due later in the week. Mixed economic signals from the US and Europe kept investors wary.
- Tariff concerns: The US earlier imposed steep tariffs on some Indian goods, and Mexico signaled possible tariff hikes on autos. These trade frictions raised concerns that global protectionism could dent India’s exports.
- Weak Asian markets: Major Asian indices were lower as risk appetite faded. Markets reacted to renewed worries about China’s property sector and potential slowing growth in developed markets.
- Stable crude oil: Brent crude hovered just above US$61/barrel, providing some relief to India’s import‑dependent economy. Lower oil prices can help moderate inflation and support corporate margins.
Stocks to Watch & Corporate Updates
| Stock | Catalyst / Corporate update |
|---|---|
| One 97 Communications (Paytm) | Completed an additional investment of ₹2 250 crore in its wholly‑owned payments subsidiary through a rights issue. Paytm shares rallied about 2 % ahead of the news. |
| Wipro | Expanded collaboration with Alphabet’s Google Cloud to accelerate customers’ AI adoption using the Gemini large‑language‑model platform. Shares ended ~1 % higher and remain a key focus for investors. |
| Aurobindo Pharma | The US FDA inspected a unit of its subsidiary in Telangana and issued a Form 483 with procedural observations. The company said it would respond promptly; shares gained ~1.8 %. |
| Godawari Power & Ispat | Approved a ₹1 625 crore investment to scale its battery‑energy‑storage project capacity from 10 GWh to 40 GWh in two phases. The stock rose over 2 %. |
| KEC International | Secured new orders worth ₹1 150 crore in transmission and distribution and civil works, including a 150 MW thermal‑power plant project. Shares climbed about 1 %. |
| NLC India | Received a letter of acceptance to set up a 110 MW solar PV project in Uttar Pradesh and signed a joint‑venture agreement with PTC India to develop up to 2 000 MW of green‑energy capacity. The stock gained more than 3 %. |
| A‑1 Ltd | Announced supply of 10 000 tonnes of concentrated nitric acid to GNFC and Solar Industries, to be executed by March 2026. Shares surged ~5 %, continuing a multibagger run. |
| Bharat Electronics (BEL) | Bagged orders worth ₹776 crore, including anti‑drone systems, communications equipment and avionics. The stock closed slightly higher and remains on investors’ radar. |
| SMS Pharmaceuticals | Disclosed that the US FDA inspected its API facility in Visakhapatnam and noted procedural observations; the company will respond within stipulated timelines. Shares were steady. |
| ESAF Small Finance Bank | Approved the sale of non‑performing assets worth ₹1 700 crore to an asset‑reconstruction company, carrying a 94 % provision coverage. Shares were marginally higher. |
| IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation) | Continued to recover from operational disruptions; strong demand and improved load factors lifted the stock ~2 %. |
Outlook for Tomorrow (16 December 2025)
- Market tone: The market is likely to remain range‑bound to mildly positive as investors await US inflation data and signals on the India–US trade deal. Broader indices may outperform given steady domestic liquidity from DIIs. Banks and IT could continue to attract buying on dips, while autos and metals may stay under pressure due to global tariff concerns.
- Technical levels:
- Nifty 50: Immediate support lies near 25 900–25 750. A break below 25 750 could open the door to 25 600. On the upside, resistance is expected around 26 100; a sustained move above this could test 26 250–26 300.
- Nifty Bank: Support is placed near 47 600, followed by 47 300. Resistance is around 48 400 and then 48 650. Momentum remains positive as long as the index stays above 47 600.
- Key triggers: Watch for US and Chinese macro releases, progress on the India–US trade framework, trends in rupee and crude oil prices, and further commentary from the Reserve Bank of India on liquidity management. Any improvement in global risk sentiment could prompt bargain hunting, while continued FII selling could cap upside.
Investors should remain selective, focusing on high‑quality large‑caps and stocks with positive news flow while maintaining appropriate risk management in the face of global uncertainties.
