Indian equity benchmarks traded with a mild negative bias on Monday, December 29, 2025, as selling pressure in banking, financial services, and select index heavyweights capped market sentiment. The Nifty 50 hovered around the 26,000 mark, reflecting cautious investor positioning amid mixed global cues and year-end portfolio adjustments. While frontline indices slipped marginally, stock-specific action remained visible, particularly in metals, energy, and FMCG names.
Also Read: Markets End Lower on December 26 as Financial Stocks Drag; PSU and Infra Counters Outperform
Benchmark Indices: Nifty Holds 26,000 Amid Volatility
The Nifty 50 was trading at 26,001.95, down 40.35 points or 0.15%, at the time of the update. The index opened at 26,063.35, touched an intraday high of 26,106.80, and slipped to a low of 25,999.65, indicating a narrow trading range but sustained selling near higher levels.
Sectoral indices largely mirrored the benchmark’s cautious tone.
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Nifty Bank declined 0.17%, weighed down by select large-cap lenders.
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Nifty Financial Services fell 0.24%, reflecting profit-booking in financial stocks. -
Nifty Next 50 was marginally lower by 0.10%, suggesting subdued broader market participation.
Nifty Financial Services fell 0.24%, reflecting profit-booking in financial stocks.
Top Gainers: Metals, Energy and FMCG Stocks Show Strength
Despite broader weakness, several stocks managed to post healthy gains, supported by strong volumes and sector-specific optimism.
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Tata Steel emerged as a top gainer, rising 2.42% to ₹173.21, backed by robust trading volumes, indicating renewed interest in metal counters.
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Eternal advanced 1.17% to ₹285.05, reflecting steady buying interest.
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Nestlé India gained 1.06% to ₹1,286.10, reinforcing FMCG’s defensive appeal amid market uncertainty.
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ONGC rose 1.06% to ₹237.02, supported by firmness in energy stocks.
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JSW Steel added 0.82% to ₹1,103.40, further strengthening the metals pack.
Nestlé India gained 1.06% to ₹1,286.10, reinforcing FMCG’s defensive appeal amid market uncertainty.Top Losers: Heavyweights Weigh on Market Sentiment
On the downside, several index heavyweights exerted pressure on benchmarks.
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Adani Ports declined 1.65% to ₹1,462.60, emerging as the biggest loser among the tracked stocks.
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Power Grid slipped 1.17% to ₹262.35, amid weakness in PSU utilities.
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HCL Technologies fell 0.84% to ₹1,647.00, as IT stocks saw mild profit-taking.
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Reliance Industries eased 0.74% to ₹1,547.60, limiting upside in the Nifty due to its heavy index weight.
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Jio Financial Services declined 0.61% to ₹295.15, adding to pressure in the financial services space.
HCL Technologies fell 0.84% to ₹1,647.00, as IT stocks saw mild profit-taking.Market Outlook: December, 29: 2025
Overall market sentiment remained cautious, with investors selectively accumulating stocks while trimming exposure to index heavyweights. The divergence between gainers and losers highlights a stock-specific market, where sectoral fundamentals and near-term triggers are driving price action rather than broad-based momentum.
Conclusion
Indian equity markets witnessed a subdued session with the Nifty 50 marginally lower, weighed down by financials and key heavyweight stocks. However, resilience in metals, energy, and FMCG counters provided pockets of strength, preventing a sharper decline. As the year draws to a close, markets are expected to remain range-bound, with investors closely tracking global developments, sector-specific cues, and upcoming macroeconomic data.
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