Indian Equity Markets Trade Lower as Nifty Slips Below 25,900; Metals, Auto and Financials Provide Select Support

Indian equity markets traded with a mild negative bias on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, as cautious investor sentiment and selective profit booking weighed on benchmark indices. Despite losses in broader markets, buying interest in metals, automobiles, and select financial stocks helped limit the downside, while healthcare, aviation, and insurance stocks remained under pressure.

Also Read: Indian Equity Markets End Lower on December 29, 2025 as Broad-Based Selling Intensifies; FMCG and Metals Offer Limited Support

Benchmark Indices: Nifty Extends Losses

The Nifty 50 was trading at 25,888.15, down 53.95 points or 0.21%, at the time of the update. The index opened at 25,940.90, moved to an intraday high of 25,975.85, and slipped to a low of 25,878.00, reflecting a narrow but negative trading range.

Other key indices also saw losses:

• Nifty Next 50 declined 0.37%, indicating weakness in the broader market.

• Nifty Financial Services fell 0.33%, tracking selling pressure in select financial stocks.

• Nifty Bank edged down marginally by 0.04%, showing relative resilience.

Top Gainers: Metals, Autos and Financials Show Strength

Several stocks managed to post gains amid a weak market, supported by strong volumes and sector-specific triggers.

• Hindalco Industries gained 1.91% to ₹881.55, leading the gainers’ list on renewed interest in metal stocks.

• Shriram Finance rose 1.80% to ₹972.70, reflecting strength in NBFC counters.

• Axis Bank advanced 1.26% to ₹1,247.50, lending support to the banking space.

• Mahindra & Mahindra added 1.14% to ₹3,632.90, aided by buying in auto majors.

• Bajaj Auto climbed 1.09% to ₹9,186.00, continuing its steady upward momentum.

Top Losers: Healthcare, Aviation and Insurance Stocks Drag

On the downside, several stocks witnessed sharp declines, weighing on overall market sentiment.

• Max Healthcare fell 2.81% to ₹1,034.20, emerging as the top laggard.

• Eternal declined 2.33% to ₹276.25, amid heavy trading volumes.

• InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) slipped 1.74% to ₹4,997.00, tracking weakness in aviation stocks.

• Apollo Hospitals eased 1.65% to ₹6,967.50, adding to pressure in the healthcare space.

• SBI Life Insurance fell 1.40% to ₹1,981.70, reflecting selling in insurance counters.

Market Outlook: Indian equity markets

The market continued to display a cautious tone, with investors selectively accumulating stocks in metals, autos, and financials while booking profits in healthcare and consumption-related names. Market breadth remained mixed, suggesting consolidation near current levels.

Conclusion
Indian equity markets traded lower with the Nifty 50 slipping below the 25,900 mark amid mixed sectoral cues. While metals, autos, and select financial stocks offered support, weakness in healthcare, aviation, and insurance stocks capped upside. In the near term, markets are expected to remain range-bound as investors await fresh domestic and global triggers.