Indian equity markets ended Tuesday’s session on a subdued note, with benchmark indices closing in the red amid selling pressure in FMCG, healthcare, and capital goods stocks. Despite select heavyweight gains, broader market sentiment remained cautious, leading to modest losses by the close of trade.
At the end of the session on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the Nifty 50 declined 0.22 percent, while the BSE Sensex fell 0.30 percent, reflecting a mixed but slightly negative undertone across sectors.
Sectoral Pressure Weighs on the Market
The decline was primarily driven by weakness in defensive and industrial sectors. FMCG stocks faced profit booking after recent rallies, while healthcare counters also saw mild selling. Capital goods stocks came under notable pressure, dragging the benchmarks lower despite support from select banking and energy names.
Market participants appeared cautious ahead of global cues and upcoming macroeconomic data, keeping intraday gains limited and encouraging a risk-averse approach.
Top Gainers on the Nifty 50
Despite the overall decline, several stocks delivered strong performances and provided partial support to the index.
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) emerged as the top gainer on the Nifty 50, rising 3.30 percent to close at ₹243.50. The stock benefited from firm crude oil prices and renewed interest in energy counters.
Eternal Ltd gained 3.17 percent, ending the session at ₹294.30, while ICICI Bank added 1.66 percent to settle at ₹1,436.50, supported by steady buying in frontline private banking stocks.
Major Losers on the Nifty 50
On the downside, Trent Ltd slipped to a 52-week low, declining 3.74 percent to close at ₹3,904.70, making it the worst performer on the index. Continued selling pressure and valuation concerns weighed on the stock.
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) dropped 3.18 percent to ₹3,891.00, contributing significantly to the index’s fall. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories also ended lower, losing 1.99 percent to close at ₹1,191.30, amid weakness in the pharmaceutical space.
Sensex: Winners and Laggards
On the BSE Sensex, Eternal Ltd led the gainers, rising 3.23 percent to ₹294.45. ICICI Bank followed with a 1.62 percent gain, while Tech Mahindra advanced 1.49 percent to end at ₹1,609.20.
Meanwhile, Larsen & Toubro was the biggest drag on the Sensex as well, falling 3.23 percent to ₹3,888.80. Reliance Industries declined 1.77 percent to ₹1,457.10, while Maruti Suzuki India slipped 1.13 percent to close at ₹16,402.05.
Market Breadth Remains Mixed
Market breadth remained almost evenly split. On the NSE, 1,241 stocks advanced, 1,234 declined, and 62 remained unchanged. On the BSE, 1,970 shares rose, 1,969 fell, and 178 ended flat, indicating a highly selective trading session rather than broad-based selling.
Volatility and Commodity Trends
The India VIX, which measures market volatility, eased 1.94 percent to 11.15, suggesting that traders do not currently expect sharp near-term swings despite the market’s cautious tone.
In the commodities market, gold futures for February delivery declined 0.51 percent to $4,591.01 per troy ounce, reflecting mild profit booking. Crude oil prices moved higher, with February crude rising 1.67 percent to $60.31 per barrel, while Brent crude for March gained 1.19 percent to $64.63 per barrel.
Currency Market Snapshot
In the currency segment, the Indian rupee weakened slightly against the US dollar, with USD/INR rising 0.05 percent to 90.15. The euro also strengthened marginally against the rupee, with EUR/INR up 0.10 percent at 105.27. The US Dollar Index Futures edged higher by 0.08 percent to 98.71.
Market Outlook
Overall, the market closed lower amid sector-specific weakness and cautious global sentiment. While strong performances from select banking and energy stocks provided some stability, broader participation remained limited. Investors are likely to stay selective in the near term, focusing on stock-specific triggers, earnings updates, and global macro developments before taking fresh positions.