Markets Trade Firm in Early Session; Nifty 50 Holds Above 25,850 Led by Bank and Financial Stocks

Indian equity markets opened on a positive and steady note on Thursday, with benchmark indices showing modest gains in early trade. Strength in banking and financial services stocks helped the Nifty 50 stay comfortably above the 25,850 level, even as broader markets displayed mixed trends with sharp stock-specific action.

Also read: December 17, 2025: Markets End Lower for Second Straight Session; Nifty 50 Closes Below 25,820 Amid Financials Drag

Benchmark Indices Snapshot

As of 10:46 AM IST, the Nifty 50 was trading at 25,854.85, up 36.30 points (0.14%).

• Open: 25,764.70

• Intraday High: 25,863.95

• Intraday Low: 25,726.30

Other key indices showed a mixed but largely supportive tone:

• Nifty Bank: 59,150.85 (↑ 0.38%)

• Nifty Financial Services: 27,372.30 (↑ 0.44%)

• Nifty Next 50: 67,833.55 (↓ 0.36%)

Gains in frontline banking and financial stocks helped offset weakness in select broader market names.

Top Gainers: Strong Momentum in Select Midcaps

Several midcap and small-cap stocks witnessed sharp buying interest, with some counters nearing or hitting upper circuit levels:

• TCI Finance (TCIFINANCE) surged 19.94% to ₹16.12, emerging as the top gainer.

• Keep Learn (KEEPL EARN) rose 19.74% to ₹2.79, backed by steady volumes.

• AWHCL advanced 17.09% to ₹509.80, seeing heavy trading activity.

• Bliss GVS Pharma (BLISSGVS) gained 14.28% to ₹165.48.

• Arvee Laboratories (ARVEE) climbed 14.25% to ₹240.50, extending its recent upward momentum.

The rally highlights continued appetite for momentum-driven stocks, particularly in the midcap segment.

Top Losers: Profit Booking in Select Counters

On the downside, a few stocks saw notable profit booking in early trade:

• TFL declined 9.06% to ₹14.25.

• Retail (RETAIL) slipped 9.03% to ₹26.70.

• Apex fell 6.47% to ₹284.70.

• AMNPLST eased 5.77% to ₹208.36.

• Park Hospitals (PARKHOSPS) dropped 5.68% to ₹139.54, despite healthy volumes.

The declines remained stock-specific, with no signs of broad-based selling pressure.

Market Outlook

Market participants remain cautiously optimistic as banking and financial stocks provide near-term support to benchmark indices. Analysts expect range-bound movement with selective buying, driven by sector rotation, stock-specific news flows and global market cues.

While headline indices show stability, traders are advised to remain selective, especially in high-momentum midcap and small-cap stocks.

Conclusion

Early trade on December 18, 2025 reflected a firm but selective market tone, with the Nifty 50 holding above 25,850 on the back of gains in banks and financial services. Strong rallies in select midcaps contrasted with profit booking in others, underscoring the ongoing divergence within the market and highlighting opportunities for stock-specific strategies.