Indian stock market today closed lower; Nifty ended at 26,042, Sensex at 85,041. Post-market analysis with sector trends, FII/DII data, and volatility outlook.
Indian Market Summary
The Indian equity benchmarks closed lower for the third consecutive session on Friday, December 26, 2025, amid muted global cues and thin holiday volumes. The Nifty 50 settled at 26,042.30 (-0.38%), while the Sensex ended at 85,041.45 (-0.43%).
Market sentiment remained fragile as foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued their selling spree, with no fresh domestic triggers to support momentum. Mid- and small-cap indices showed resilience, but heavyweights in IT, Banking, and Auto sectors faced persistent profit-booking. On the positive side, Metals and FMCG counters outperformed, reflecting selective buying interest.
Benchmark Index Moves
| Index | Closing Level | Change (pts) | % Change |
| Nifty 50 | 26,042.30 | -99.80 | -0.38% |
| Sensex | 85,041.45 | -367.25 | -0.43% |
| Bank Nifty | 59,024.20 | -159.40 | -0.27% |
| Nifty 100 | 26,606.40 | -68.10 | -0.26% |
| Nifty 500 | 23,805.65 | -44.60 | -0.19% |
Top Gainers & Losers (Nifty 50)
Top Gainers:
- Titan Company: +2.13% (Strong consumer demand)
- Hindustan Unilever: +1.10% (Defensive buying)
- Nestle India: +1.07% (FMCG strength)
- Axis Bank: +0.85% (Selective private bank buying)
Top Losers:
- Sun Pharma: -1.34% (Sectoral profit booking)
- Asian Paints: -1.25% (Input cost concerns)
- Bajaj Finance: -1.15% (NBFC profit booking)
- TCS: -1.00% (Weak global IT cues)
Global Markets Summary
- US Markets: Closed on Dec 25 for Christmas; futures traded flat.
- Europe: FTSE, DAX, CAC remained shut for Boxing Day.
- Asia: Nikkei 225 rose 1%, Kospi gained 0.75%, while Hong Kong markets stayed closed.
Latest News Highlights
- 🚆 Railway Stocks Surge: IRCTC (+6.69%) and RVNL (+13.62%) rallied on slab-based fare hikes.
- 🛡️ Defence Sector Buzz: Mazagon Dock & HAL gained ahead of DAC meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
- ✈️ Apollo Micro Systems: Jumped 4.5% after ₹100.24 crore order for Unmanned Aerial Systems.
- 💱 Rupee Weakness: INR depreciated 15 paise to 89.86 vs USD amid FII outflows.
Stocks & Sectors in News
- Hindustan Copper: Hit record high ₹469.50 on global copper supply concerns.
- Dilip Buildcon: Surged 5% after ₹3,400 crore EPC order from Adani Road Transport.
- Coforge: Fell 3.2% ahead of board meeting on fund-raising proposal.
Key Topics & Upcoming Events
- Ongoing IPOs:
- E to E Transportation Infrastructure opened Dec 26 (₹164–₹174 band).
- Admach Systems & Nanta Tech closing today with strong subscription.
- Shyam Dhani Industries saw record 988x subscription, highlighting retail frenzy in SME IPOs.
- Policy Watch: RBI’s January monetary policy review; inflation cues in focus.
- Budget 2026: Expectations of infra & renewable energy allocations.
India VIX & Institutional Data
- India VIX: Dropped 0.98% to 9.10 – signaling ultra-low volatility, though thin volumes may distort readings.
- FII/DII Data (Dec 24–26):
- FIIs: Net Sellers ₹1,721.26 Cr
- DIIs: Net Buyers ₹2,381.34 Cr
👉 Observation: DIIs continue to absorb FII selling, preventing sharper declines.
❓ FAQs
- Why did the market fall today? – Sustained FII outflows, thin holiday volumes, lack of catalysts.
- What is Nifty’s support level? – Immediate support at 26,000; next zone 25,700–25,800.
- Why are railway stocks rising? – Fare hikes boosting revenue outlook for IRCTC & RVNL.
- What does low India VIX mean? – Signals stability but may indicate complacency.
- Were US markets open today? – Closed Dec 25; resumed Dec 26 with low volumes.
- Which sectors outperformed? – Metals & FMCG led gains; IT & Pharma lagged.
- Is it a good time to invest? – Long-term bullish; short-term consolidation. Buy on dips near 25,800.
Final Thoughts & Investment Perspective
The Indian market is in a consolidation phase after a strong rally earlier this quarter. Persistent FII selling remains a headwind, but robust DII and retail liquidity is cushioning downside risks.
For the near term, expect range-bound volatility between 25,700–26,300. A breakout above 26,300 could trigger momentum toward 26,500. Investors should focus on quality large-caps and defensive FMCG names, while traders can adopt a buy-on-dips strategy in resilient sectors like metals.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This report is for educational and informational purposes only. The author is not a SEBI-registered analyst. This does not constitute investment advice. Please consult your financial advisor before making investment decisions.
