Headline indices, the Sensex and Nifty 50, ended mixed on the first day of the calendar year 2026, amid stock-specific action and a lack of fresh triggers. The Sensex slipped 32 points, or 0.04%, to end at 85,188.60, while the Nifty 50 settled at 26,146.55, up 17 points, or 0.06%. The BSE Midcap index rose by 0.27%, but the Smallcap index slipped 0.02%.
ITC ended as the top drag on the Sensex. The FMCG stock crashed almost 10% after the government announced excise duty on tobacco products effective February 1. ICICI Bank and Bajaj Finance also ended among the top drags on the indices.
On the other hand, Larsen and Toubro, Infosys, and Mahindra and Mahindra ended as top supports for the index.
Indian stock market: 10 key highlights from the day
1. Why did the Indian stock market end flat today?
The market is staying in a range amid a lack of fresh triggers, as investors await Q3 results and updates on India-US trade talks.
“The domestic market started the year with a range‑bound session and ended slightly higher amid thin trading due to global holidays and continued FII selling,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, noted.
“In the days ahead, Q3 earnings, budget expectations, and global cues such as the India‑US trade deal and potential Fed actions are expected to guide market direction, with earnings growth likely to remain the key driver in 2026,” said Nair.
2. Top gainers in the Nifty 50 index
Bajaj Auto (up 2.59%), Shriram Finance (up 2.39%), and NTPC (up 2%) ended as the top gainers in the index. As many as 38 stocks ended higher in the Nifty 50 index.
3. Top losers in the Nifty 50 index
ITC (down 9.69%), Tata Consumer Products (down 1.57%), and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (down 1.53%) ended as the top losers in the index.
4. Sectoral indices today
Nifty FMCG crashed 3.17%, ending as the top loser. Nifty Pharma (down 0.40%) and Healthcare (down 0.19%) also ended lower.
On the other hand, Nifty Auto (up 1.03%), Realty (up 0.84%), Metal (up 0.79%), and IT (up 0.76%) ended with healthy gains.
Nifty Bank rose 0.22%, while the Financial Services index climbed by 0.19%.
5. Most active stocks in terms of volume
Vodafone Idea (304 crore shares), ITC (28.3 crore shares), and Filatex Fashions (24 crore shares) were the most active stocks in terms of volume on the NSE.
6. Nine stocks jump more than 15% on BSE
Vision Cinemas, KSR Footwear, and Filatex Fashions were among the nine stocks that surged more than 15% on the BSE.
7. Advance-decline ratio
Out of 4,335 stocks traded on the BSE, 2,211 advanced, while 1,952 declined. Some 172 stocks remained unchanged.
8. Over 140 stocks hit 52-week highs
As many as 144 stocks, including Reliance, Titan, and Larsen and Toubro, hit their 52-week highs in intraday trade on the BSE.
9. Nearly 90 stocks hit 52-week lows
Some 87 stocks, including ITC, Siemens Energy India, and Clean Science and Technology, hit their 52-week lows on the BSE.
10. Nifty’s technical outlook
According to Sudeep Shah, Head – Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities, the zone of 26,200-26,240 will act as an important hurdle for the index.
Shah said any sustainable move above the 26,240 level will lead to a sharp upside rally in the index up to the 26,400 level in the short term. On the downside, the zone of 26,030-26,000 will act as immediate support for the index.
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Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations expressed are those of individual analysts or broking firms, not Mint. We advise investors to consult with certified experts before making any investment decisions, as market conditions can change rapidly and circumstances may vary.
