Markets Extend Losses Afternoon Trade on January 6 as Heavyweight Selling Intensifies

Indian equity markets slipped further into the red during afternoon trade on January 6, 2026, as sustained selling in heavyweight stocks deepened losses on the benchmarks. While select financial and healthcare stocks showed resilience, sharp declines in consumption and conglomerate stocks weighed heavily on overall sentiment, keeping the Nifty 50 under pressure.

Also Read: Markets Trade Lower Midday on January 6 as Heavyweight Selling Weighs; Banks and Metals Offer Support

Benchmark Indices: Nifty Slides Below 26,150

The Nifty 50 was trading at 26,136.70, down 113.60 points or 0.43%. The index opened at 26,189.70, touched an intraday high of 26,273.95, and slipped to a low of 26,129.35, indicating persistent selling pressure through the session.

Other key indices showed mixed trends:

• Nifty Next 50 declined 0.03% to 70,393.65

• Nifty Financial Services gained 0.24% to 27,917.20

• Nifty Bank edged up 0.06% to 60,081.40

Gains in select financial stocks helped cushion the fall, but were insufficient to offset losses in heavyweight counters.

Top Gainers: Financials and Healthcare Offer Support

Selective buying was visible in healthcare, banking, and insurance stocks:

• Apollo Hospitals Enterprise surged 3.43% to ₹7,326.00, emerging as the top gainer.

• ICICI Bank rose 2.66% to ₹1,408.00, lending support to the Bank Nifty.

• HDFC Life Insurance advanced 2.32% to ₹776.90.

• Bajaj Auto gained 1.78% to ₹9,667.00.

• Tata Consumer Products added 1.76% to ₹1,202.90.

These gains reflected selective defensive and financial sector interest amid broader weakness.

Top Losers: Consumption and Conglomerates Drag

Heavy selling in large-cap consumption and conglomerate stocks dragged the indices lower:

• Trent plunged 8.35% to ₹4,060.00, the sharpest decline among Nifty stocks.

• Reliance Industries slipped 4.94% to ₹1,500.10, exerting significant pressure on the benchmarks.

• ITC fell 2.99% to ₹339.25.

• Kotak Mahindra Bank declined 1.92% to ₹2,148.80.

• Jio Financial Services eased 1.51% to ₹295.85.

The sharp correction in Trent and continued weakness in Reliance weighed heavily on investor sentiment.

Market Sentiment: Risk-Off, Stock-Specific Moves

Market sentiment turned increasingly risk-averse in the afternoon session. Investors trimmed exposure to consumption and large-cap stocks, while selectively accumulating healthcare and financial names. Volumes remained elevated in key losers, indicating active distribution rather than broad-based panic.

Conclusion: January 6, 2026

Indian markets extended losses in afternoon trade on January 6 as heavy selling in select heavyweight stocks overshadowed gains in financials and healthcare. With sectoral divergence and rising volatility, near-term market direction is likely to remain cautious and stock-specific, as investors await clearer global cues and domestic triggers.