Markets End Lower on December 26 as Financial Stocks Drag; PSU and Infra Counters Outperform

Indian equity markets closed lower on Thursday, December 26, 2025, as sustained selling pressure in banking and financial stocks weighed on benchmark indices. Despite the broader weakness, strong buying interest in select PSU, infrastructure, and mid-cap stocks provided pockets of strength, resulting in a mixed but highly stock-specific market close.

Also Read: Nifty Slips Further on December 26 as Financials Weigh Heavily; Broader Market Shows Selective Strength

Benchmark Indices: Nifty Closes Below 26,050

The Nifty 50 settled at 26,043.10, down 99.80 points (-0.38%) for the day. The index opened at 26,121.25, touched an intraday high of 26,144.20, and slipped to a low of 26,008.60, indicating steady selling pressure as the session progressed.

Sector-wise, Nifty Financial Services declined 134.75 points (-0.49%) to 27,430.75, while Nifty Bank ended at 59,011.35, down 172.25 points (-0.29%), emerging as the key drag on the market. Meanwhile, Nifty Next 50 managed to close marginally higher at 68,961.05, gaining 3.80 points (+0.01%), reflecting selective accumulation in broader market stocks.

Top Gainers: PSU and Infrastructure Stocks Steal the Show

Several stocks recorded sharp gains on strong volumes, underscoring investor preference for PSU and infrastructure-linked counters:

• Prakash Steelage (PRAKASHSTL) surged 19.90% to ₹5.00, remaining locked near its upper circuit with steady volumes.

• Cubex Tubings (CUBEXTUB) rallied 17.89% to ₹111.50, supported by increased investor interest.

• Panacea Biotec rose 13.88% to ₹409.00, with value turnover crossing ₹1,000 crore, indicating strong institutional participation.

• MMTC advanced 13.33% to ₹65.20, driven by optimism in commodity and PSU stocks.

• RVNL gained 12.02% to ₹387.25, recording massive volumes of over 1,029 lakh shares, reinforcing bullish sentiment around railway and infrastructure plays.

Top Losers: Selling Pressure in Select Counters

On the downside, several stocks witnessed sharp corrections:

• TPHQ declined 9.41% to ₹0.77, emerging as the top loser of the session.

• Creative Eye fell 7.76% to ₹7.13, amid weak buying interest.

• PKTEA slipped 7.53% to ₹851.00, reflecting profit booking at higher levels.

• Dolphin Offshore dropped 6.95% to ₹409.15.

• Jaro Education declined 6.45% to ₹505.10, rounding off the list of major laggards.

Market Outlook: Stock-Specific Action to Continue

Market experts believe that near-term market movement will remain volatile and stock-specific, with investors closely tracking sectoral cues, PSU performance, and corporate fundamentals. Weakness in financial stocks may continue to cap upside in benchmark indices, while selective opportunities could emerge in infrastructure, PSU, and mid-cap segments.

Conclusion: December 26

The December 26 trading session reflected a divergent market trend, where benchmark indices ended lower due to persistent pressure from banking and financial stocks, even as PSU and infrastructure counters delivered strong gains on heavy volumes. As markets head into the year-end, investors are expected to stay cautious, focusing on selective buying rather than broad-based rallies.