Indian equity benchmarks ended in the red on December 24, 2025, as profit booking and foreign investor selling weighed on sentiment ahead of the Christmas holiday. The BSE Sensex declined by 116.14 points, or 0.14%, to close at 85,524.84, while the NSE Nifty 50 slipped 35.05 points, or 0.13%, to settle at 26,142.10. The subdued close came despite positive global cues, with domestic factors driving caution among investors.
Key Market Drivers
The session was marked by a lack of fresh triggers and a cautious approach from market participants. According to analysts, the recent rally had left valuations stretched in certain pockets, prompting traders to book profits. Additionally, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) continued their selling streak, adding pressure to frontline stocks.
Reliance Industries (RIL) and ICICI Bank emerged as the top drags on the Sensex, contributing significantly to the index’s decline. Other notable laggards included Sun Pharma, IndiGo, and Hindustan Unilever, which faced selling pressure amid sectoral rotation.
Out of 4,332 actively traded stocks on the BSE, 2,343 declined, 1,836 advanced, and 153 remained unchanged, indicating a broadly negative market breadth.
Sectoral Performance
The market saw mixed trends across sectors:
- Banking and financials witnessed mild weakness, led by ICICI Bank and Axis Bank.
- Pharma stocks came under pressure, with Sun Pharma losing over 1%.
- Auto and FMCG sectors remained relatively stable.
- IT stocks showed resilience, supported by global tech optimism.
Midcap and smallcap indices underperformed slightly, reflecting broader caution among retail investors.
Technical Outlook
Analysts suggest that the Nifty has immediate support around 26,100 and resistance near 26,300. The Sensex is expected to find support at 85,300 and face resistance near 85,800. With the holiday-shortened week and year-end volatility, traders are advised to maintain a balanced approach and avoid aggressive positions.
Global Cues and Derivatives Setup
Global markets remained supportive, with Asian indices trading higher on the back of strong US GDP data. However, the Indian derivatives market indicated a shift toward a buy-on-dips strategy, with traders positioning cautiously for January expiry.
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Conclusion
The December 24 session highlighted the market’s cautious tone ahead of the Christmas break. While headline indices saw modest declines, stock-specific action and sectoral rotation continued to offer opportunities. Investors are advised to stay selective, monitor global cues, and rely on credible research to navigate the final stretch of the year.
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