Mumbai: Indian equity markets closed Wednesday’s session with moderate gains, managing to stay in the green despite intraday swings. Investor sentiment was shaped by December-quarter earnings and the formalisation of the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which injected optimism into key sectors.
The Sensex ended at 82,345, up 487 points (0.60%), while the Nifty 50 closed at 25,343, rising 167 points (0.66%). During the session, both indices experienced significant volatility, with the Sensex oscillating between 81,815 and 82,504, and the Nifty ranging from 25,188 to 25,372.
Sectoral Highlights and Top Movers
Shares of Bharat Electronics Limited emerged as the day’s top performer, surging 9%. Other stocks contributing to the market’s positive momentum included ONGC, Coal India, Hindalco, Bajaj Finance, Power Grid, Adani Enterprises, Trent, Mahindra & Mahindra, Cipla, and Shriram Finance.
On the other hand, Tata Consumer Products declined 4.5%, with other laggards including Asian Paints, Maruti Suzuki, Sun Pharma, Max Healthcare, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Infosys, and Eicher Motors, seeing losses of up to 4.2%.
Broader markets outperformed the benchmark indices, reflecting strong investor appetite for mid- and small-cap stocks. The Nifty Midcap 100 rose 1.66%, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 gained 2.26%.
Sectoral Performance and Trends
Public sector units and cyclical sectors led the rally. The Nifty CPSE index jumped 5%, supported by Oil & Gas, which climbed 3.4%. Metals and PSU banks also contributed, with the Nifty Metal index rising 2.3% and the Nifty PSU Bank index advancing 1.7%.
Analysts noted that investors rotated from defensive FMCG stocks toward cyclical sectors such as metals, financials, and energy, reflecting confidence in economic growth and trade prospects following the India-EU FTA.
Market Outlook
While the indices remain below their short-term moving averages, immediate resistance for the Nifty is expected in the 25,400–25,450 range, with stronger resistance at 25,600–25,650, aligned with the 20/50-day EMA cluster.
Domestic markets are expected to maintain optimism in the near term, supported by government-led trade agreements, positive earnings, and sectoral strength in cyclical industries.
Conclusion
Wednesday’s session highlighted resilient investor sentiment amid volatility, with broader markets outperforming benchmarks. Strength in public sector enterprises, metals, financials, and oil & gas, coupled with the India-EU FTA, underscores a positive trend for Indian equities, even as defensive sectors like FMCG saw profit-booking.
The market’s focus is likely to remain on earnings updates, policy developments, and trade agreements, which continue to shape investor strategies for 2026.