Taking Stock: Sensex, Nifty down marginally amid volatility; FMCG, PSU Bank, pharma drag

Market Today

The Indian equity indices ended with marginal losses on December 24, following a volatile trading session marked by muted volumes ahead of the Christmas holiday. At close, the Sensex was down 116.14 points or 0.14 percent at 85,408.70, and the Nifty was down 35.05 points or 0.13 percent at 26,142.10.

The market will remain shut on Thursday, December 25 on account of Christmas.

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Trent, Shriram Finance, Apollo Hospitals, UltraTech Cement, Adani Ports were among major gainers on the Nifty, while losers were Interglobe Aviation, Wipro, Dr Reddy's Labs, Sun Pharma, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles.

Except media and metal, all other sectoral indices ended in the red with Information Technology, Oil & Gas, Pharma, PSU Bank down 0.4% each.

The BSE midcap index was down 0.3 percent and smallcap index ended flat.

In stock-specific action, Oswal Pumps rose 3 percent on order win of Rs 180 crore, Coal India shares gain on gives in-principle approval to list South Eastern Coalfields and Mahanadi Coalfields, VIP Industries shares added 9.5% post 36.8 million shares change hands in a block trade, Rail Vikas Nigam added 1% on appointing Saleem Ahmad as CMD, Monte Carlo Fashions shares shed 3% despite getting multiple LOAs from Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam.

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Index	Prices	Change	Change%
Sensex	75,098.35	-936.07	-1.23%
Nifty 50	23,314.00	-325.15	-1.38%
Nifty Bank	54,034.70	-1,066.25	-1.94%

Nifty 50 23,314.00 -325.15 (-1.38%)

Fri, Mar 13, 2026

• 1D
• 5D
• 1M
• 3M
• 6M
• 1Y
• 2Y

Biggest Gainer	Prices	Change	Change%
TATA Cons. Prod	1,075.00	17.20	+1.63%

Biggest Loser	Prices	Change	Change%
Hindalco	919.35	-50.40	-5.20%

Best Sector	Prices	Change	Change%
Nifty FMCG	48352.00	162.85	+0.34%

Worst Sector	Prices	Change	Change%
Nifty Metal	11382.60	-481.30	-4.06%

More than 100 stocks hit 52-week high, including Hindustan Copper, Manappuram Finance, IIFL Finance, City Union Bank, Hindustan Zinc, Vedanta, Can Fin Home, NALCO, Shriram Finance, Laurus Labs, AIA Engineering, Phoenix Mills, Eicher Motors, Hindalco, Vodafone Idea, MCX India, NMDC, Muthoot Finance, Granules India, Bharat Forge, among others. Click to View More

Outlook for December 26

Sudeep Shah, Head - Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities

Nifty faced strong resistance in the 26,230–26,235 zone, which coincides with the previous session’s high area and gradually drifted lower as the day progressed to close at 26,142 down 0.13%. For the second consecutive session, the index failed to register a decisive close above this resistance zone. On the daily chart, Nifty formed a small-bodied candle with pronounced upper wicks, highlighting persistent selling pressure at higher levels and an inability to sustain the upside momentum.

Going ahead, for Nifty, 26,200-26,250 will act as important resistance. Any sustained move above the 26,250 level could lead to continuation of an up move towards the 26,350 level, followed by 26,500. On the downside, the 20-day EMA zone of 26,050-26,000 will act as an immediate support for the index.

Since breaking below its upward-sloping trendline on 17th December, Bank Nifty has continued to trade beneath this key resistance. Despite multiple intraday attempts to reclaim the trendline and settle higher, the index has consistently failed to do so. Over the last five trading sessions, Bank Nifty has formed candles with noticeable upper wicks, indicating supply emerging at higher levels. A meaningful directional move is unlikely unless the index delivers a strong and decisive close above the trendline.

Going ahead, 59,000-58,900 will act as an immediate support for the index. Any sustainable move below the 58,900 level can lead Index moving down till 58,600 followed by 58,300 level in the short term. While on the upside, the zone of 59,500-59,600 will act as a strong resistance for the index.

Hrishikesh Yedve, AVP Technical and Derivative Research, Asit C. Mehta Investment Interrmediates

The Nifty index began the day on a flat note, witnessed range-bound consolidation, and eventually settled on a negative note at 26,142. Technically, on the daily chart, Nifty formed a shooting star candle, reflecting selling pressure at higher levels. The next major hurdle for the index is placed in the 26,250–26,325 zone, while immediate support is seen near the 26,050 level, followed by 25,990, where the bullish gap support is placed. Thus, the index is likely to consolidate in the 25,990–26,325 band in the short term, and traders are advised to maintain a stock-specific approach.

The Bank Nifty index opened on a flat note, witnessed selling pressure, and settled on a negative note at 59,184. Technically, on the daily chart, the Bank Nifty index has formed a red candle with a long upper shadow, reflecting selling pressure at higher levels. On the downside, the index has formed a good base around 58,800, while major resistance is placed near the 59,550 level. An eventual breakout on either side of this consolidation range is likely to set up the next directional move for the index.

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