January 8, 2026: Markets End Sharply Lower as Nifty 50 Closes Below 25,920; Metals, IT and Energy Stocks Drag Benchmarks

Indian equity markets closed on a weak note on Thursday, January 8, 2026, as sustained selling pressure across sectors dragged benchmark indices lower in the final hour of trade. Heavy losses in metal, IT, and energy stocks outweighed modest gains in select financial counters, reflecting cautious investor sentiment amid broad-based risk aversion.

At the close, frontline indices ended near the day’s lows, marking a decisive negative session for the markets.

Also read: January 8, 2026: Markets Extend Sharp Losses in Afternoon Trade as Nifty 50 Slips Below 26,000; Broad-Based Selling Weighs on Sentiment

Benchmark Indices Performance

The Nifty 50 settled at 25,912.80, down 263.90 points or 1.01%. The index opened at 26,106.50, touched an intraday high of 26,133.20, but remained under persistent selling pressure through the session, hitting a low of 25,858.45 before closing below the 25,920 mark.

Other major indices also ended in the red:

• Nifty Next 50 declined sharply by 1,494.50 points (-2.11%) to 69,196.10, underperforming broader markets.

• Nifty Financial Services slipped 180.75 points (-0.65%) to 27,672.60.

• Nifty Bank closed lower by 304.35 points (-0.51%) at 59,686.50, as gains in select private lenders failed to offset overall weakness.

Top Gainers: Select Financial and Insurance Stocks Show Resilience

Despite the overall negative trend, a handful of stocks managed to close higher, largely from the financial and insurance space.

• Eternal gained 0.78% to close at ₹283.15, emerging as the most actively traded stock by value with turnover exceeding ₹1,084 crore.

• SBI Life Insurance rose 0.53% to ₹2,081.80, offering limited defensive support.

• ICICI Bank added 0.50% to ₹1,434.90, supported by strong volumes.

• Bajaj Finance edged up 0.13% to ₹970.10, ending marginally higher amid broader market weakness.

Top Losers: Metals, IT and Energy Stocks Lead Decline

Heavy selling was witnessed in metal, IT, and energy stocks, which dominated the list of top losers for the session.

• Hindalco Industries plunged 3.78% to ₹903.00, leading losses amid sharp weakness in metal counters.

• Jio Financial Services fell 3.57% to ₹292.65, reflecting pressure in non-banking financial stocks.

• Wipro declined 3.29% to ₹261.90, extending losses in the IT sector.

• ONGC dropped 3.29% to ₹231.20, tracking weakness in energy stocks.

• Tech Mahindra slipped 3.03% to ₹1,575.90, adding to the drag from IT majors.

Market Outlook

Market sentiment remains cautious as investors continue to reduce risk exposure amid sector-wide selling and profit booking at elevated levels. Analysts expect near-term volatility to persist, with global cues, earnings updates, and sectoral rotation likely to drive market direction in the coming sessions.

Conclusion: January 8, 2026

Indian equity markets ended sharply lower on January 8, with the Nifty 50 closing below 25,920 as widespread selling in metal, IT, and energy stocks overshadowed selective buying in financial counters. With benchmarks ending near the day’s lows, investors are likely to remain guarded in the near term.