29 January 2026 (afternoon): Market Update: Nifty Trades Flat Near 25,350; Banks and Industrials Support, Auto and Insurance Stocks Weigh

Indian equity markets traded with mild gains during the afternoon session on 29 January 2026, as strength in banking, infrastructure and select metal stocks offset weakness in auto, insurance and consumer names. The Nifty 50 hovered around the 25,350 mark, reflecting a cautious but stable investor mood amid ongoing earnings season.

Also Read: 29 January 2026 (Opening): Market Update: Nifty Slips Below 25,250 as Metals, Energy Stocks Shine; FMCG and Consumer Names Drag

Benchmark Performance

As of 1:04 PM IST, 29 January 2026, the Nifty 50 stood at 25,347.25, up 4.50 points (+0.02%), indicating a flat yet positive undertone.

• Open: 25,345.00

• Day’s High: 25,359.35

• Day’s Low: 25,159.80

Other indices showed mixed trends:

• Nifty Next 50: 68,037.15 (-0.25%)

• Nifty Financial Services: 27,440.05 (+0.38%)

• Nifty Bank: 59,861.70 (+0.44%), outperforming the broader market

Top Gainers: Banks, Infra and Metals Lead

Buying interest remained strong in large-cap industrial, banking and metal counters, supported by healthy volumes:

• Larsen & Toubro (LT): ₹3,941.70, up 3.89%

• NTPC: ₹357.65, up 2.76%

• Tata Steel: ₹198.65, up 2.48%

• Axis Bank: ₹1,352.10, up 2.45%

• Hindalco Industries: ₹1,021.50, up 2.33%

The rally in LT and NTPC suggests continued investor confidence in infrastructure and power plays, while strength in Axis Bank helped support the banking index.

Top Losers: Auto, Insurance and Consumption Under Pressure

Selling pressure was visible in select high-value consumer, auto and financial stocks:

• SBI Life Insurance: ₹1,966.30, down 4.23%

• Asian Paints: ₹2,423.90, down 3.50%

• Mahindra & Mahindra: ₹3,344.00, down 3.05%

• IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation): ₹4,619.50, down 2.73%

• Maruti Suzuki: ₹14,480.00, down 2.67%

Weakness in frontline names like Maruti, M&M, and SBI Life indicates profit-booking and valuation-related caution in pockets of the market that have seen strong rallies in recent months.

Sectoral Trend and Market Mood

The broader trend points towards sectoral rotation, with investors favoring banking, infrastructure and commodity-linked stocks, while trimming exposure in consumer discretionary, insurance and auto. The resilience in Nifty Bank continues to act as a cushion for the benchmark indices.

Conclusion: 29 January 2026

Overall, the market remains in a consolidation phase, with the Nifty trading in a narrow range around 25,300–25,400. While strong participation in banks and capital goods stocks is encouraging, sustained upside momentum will likely depend on upcoming earnings outcomes and global cues. In the near term, stock-specific action is expected to dominate over broad-based rallies.