Indian equity markets navigated a volatile trading session as benchmark indices managed to defend key levels despite weak global cues, persistent foreign selling, and stock-specific turbulence. While Nifty’s ability to reclaim and hold above the psychological 26,000 mark offered near-term relief, broader market sentiment remained cautious ahead of critical global data and domestic macro developments.
- Nifty 50 recovered sharply from intraday lows to close marginally above 26,000, signaling strong buying interest near support zones.
- Sensex ended slightly lower, snapping a two-day winning streak amid profit booking in autos and select defensives.
- Bank Nifty continued its upward bias, extending gains for a third straight session, supported by PSU and private bank strength.
- Market breadth was mixed, reflecting selective participation rather than broad-based risk appetite.
- Sector Performance Snapshot
- Gainers:
- PSU Banks
- Media
- IT
- FMCG (0.3%–1% rise)
- Losers:
- Auto
- Pharma
- Telecom (0.5%–1% decline)
- Immediate resistance: 26,050
- Key supports:
- 25,900 (near-term)
- 25,700 (strong base)
- Analysts note that a sustainable close above the 20-day SMA is crucial for a fresh directional rally.
- Bank Nifty is approaching a critical zone near 59,500, where profit booking could emerge.
- GIFT Nifty indicated a flat to muted start, mirroring weakness across Asian and US markets.
- Investors remain cautious ahead of key US macro data, which could influence global risk appetite and currency movements.
- Global uncertainty continues to cap aggressive long positions despite India’s relatively stable macro outlook.
- FIIs: Net sellers worth ₹1,468 crore (Dec 15)
- DIIs: Net buyers worth ₹1,792 crore
- The continued DII inflows are helping stabilize markets, offsetting foreign outflows and preventing deeper corrections.
- IT & Tech: HCLTech, Intellect Design Arena
- Banking & Finance: RBL Bank, Geojit Financial Services
- Pharma & Healthcare: Zydus Lifesciences, Senores Pharmaceuticals
- Infra & Capital Goods: BL Kashyap, Ion Exchange
- Renewables & Energy: Solex Energy
- Others: Atlantaa
- BL Kashyap secured a ₹616 crore order from Sattva CKC, strengthening its order book visibility.
- Newgen Software won a ₹16.5 crore contract from a leading bank, reinforcing demand for digital transformation solutions.
- KNR Constructions and Intellect Design Arena remained in focus on expectations of further deal wins.
- Marico is in advanced talks to acquire Cosmix for approximately ₹300 crore, aiming to scale its protein and nutrition portfolio.
- BNP Paribas exited 14.7% stake in Geojit Financial Services, with ICICI Prudential Life and Bajaj Allianz Life emerging as key buyers.
- MUFG is reportedly nearing a $3.2 billion deal for a 20% stake in Shriram Finance, highlighting foreign interest in India’s lending ecosystem.
- TCS announced the acquisition of Salesforce consulting firm Coastal Cloud for $700 million, strengthening its cloud and CRM capabilities.
- Shares of M&M, Eicher Motors, and Bajaj Auto fell up to 2%, weighed down by:
- Mexico’s tariff hike concerns
- Export-related uncertainty
- Near-term profit booking
- Despite near-term weakness, Citi remains bullish on the auto sector for 2026, citing macro tailwinds and improving demand visibility, with Maruti and M&M as top picks.
- ICICI Prudential AMC IPO
- Issue size: ₹10,602 crore
- Subscription: 2x by Day 2
- GMP: Around 14%
- Retail participation remains cautious, reflecting valuation sensitivity.
- KSH International IPO
- Raised ₹213 crore from anchor investors
- Total issue size: ₹710 crore
- Atomberg IPO continues to attract strong investor interest.
- Wakefit surged post-listing after recovering from a flat debut, indicating selective appetite in new-age listings.
- Banking: Rally driven by PSU banks like IDFC First Bank and Canara Bank.
- Healthcare:
- IHH Healthcare set the stage for growth as the Fortis open offer concluded.
- Metals:
- Hindustan Zinc touched a fresh 52-week high, with brokerages projecting further upside.
- Aviation:
- IndiGo gained nearly 3% as operations stabilized; HSBC maintained a ‘Buy’ rating.
- Urban Company hit a record low after shareholder lock-in expiry triggered selling pressure.
- Refex Industries rebounded sharply after clarifying concerns related to income tax searches.
- Westlife Foodworld and Arvind SmartSpaces gained traction on improving business outlook.
- Siemens, Dr Reddy’s Labs, and InterGlobe Aviation saw fresh brokerage coverage with mixed recommendations.
- India’s trade deficit narrowed to a 5-month low of $24.5 billion in November, easing currency pressures.
- Wholesale inflation remained in deflationary territory at –0.32%, while retail inflation stayed benign at 0.7%.
- The government seeks parliamentary approval for additional FY26 spending, which could influence fiscal metrics.
- Exports to China rose by $1 billion, while shipments to the US jumped 22%, underscoring resilience despite global trade frictions.
- SHANTI Bill 2025 opens nuclear power to private participation, targeting 100 GW capacity by 2047.
- VB–G RAM G replaces MNREGA with a 125-day rural employment framework focused on infrastructure.
- CoalSETU initiative aims to optimize coal utilization and remove end-use restrictions.
- Global macro cues and US data releases
- Sustainability of Nifty above 26,000
- FII flow trends and currency movement
- IPO subscriptions and post-listing performance
- Stock-specific earnings visibility and order inflows
While headline indices appear stable, the market remains driven by selective stock action, domestic liquidity support, and evolving global risks. Investors may benefit from focusing on fundamentally strong names, sectors with structural tailwinds, and disciplined risk management as volatility persists.
Published by Barawakar |Stock Market Today – 16 Dec 2025
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