Indian equity markets closed in red on December 26, with benchmark indices witnessing broad-based selling amid thin year-end volumes. The Sensex fell 0.38% to 85,081.12, while the Nifty 50 slipped 0.38% to 26,042.30. The Nifty Bank index also declined 0.29%, settling at 59,011. Large-cap stocks underperformed mid- and small-cap counterparts, though selective gains were seen in metals and consumer durables, while IT, auto, and banking stocks faced sustained pressure.
FII Activity
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers, offloading equities worth Rs 1,721.26 crore on Wednesday. December outflows have exceeded Rs 20,000 crore, with net outflows for 2025 nearing Rs 3 lakh crore. Despite this, FIIs invested Rs 73,106 crore in the primary market during the same period.
Top sectors in FII equity holdings include banking, financial services and insurance, automobiles, IT, oil & gas, and pharmaceuticals, accounting for around 60% of their Indian portfolio. Sequential increases were observed in banking, financial services, and oil & gas, while pharma exposure declined; automobile and IT holdings remained largely unchanged.
Market Movers
- Top Gainers: Titan, UltraTech Cement, NTPC, Reliance Industries.
- Top Losers: Bajaj Finance, Asian Paints, Tata Consultancy Services, Eternal, Tech Mahindra.
Sector Highlights
- Metals & Consumer Durables: Selective strength supported gains in Titan and UltraTech Cement.
- Technology: IT stocks remained weak, dragging the Nifty IT index down by ~1%. Coforge fell over 3%, while Infosys, TCS, Tech Mahindra, and HCL Technologies also traded lower.
- Mining & Infrastructure: Hindustan Copper surged nearly 8% during intraday trade, while railway stocks like Rail Vikas Nigam (+12%) and IRCTC (+3%) showed strong momentum.
The market remained cautious ahead of upcoming quarterly earnings and amid the ongoing FII outflows, contributing to the lack of broader upward momentum in large-cap stocks.
Disclaimer: This news article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investors should consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
