Share Markets Remain Volatile, Sensex Nearly 100 Points Up, Nifty Marginally Higher

In the pre-open session, the Sensex climbed more than 150 points and crossed 85,350, and the Nifty stood marginally higher, around 9:03 AM.

Indian equity markets entered 2026 in a consolidation mode, with indices hovering near record highs amid selective buying and profit-booking.

Source : ABPLIVE AI

The Indian stock markets looked set to end the first trading week of 2026 on a robust note on Friday morning. The BSE Sensex opened the session near 85,300, rallying almost 100 points, while the NSE Nifty50 started trading above 26,150, rising only 14 points, as of 9:15 AM.

In the pre-open session, the Sensex climbed more than 150 points and crossed 85,350, and the Nifty stood marginally higher, around 9:03 AM.

In the 30-share BSE Sensex, the top gainers included stocks such as Maruti, M&M, TMPV, Asian Paints, and BEL. Meanwhile, the laggards included stocks like ITC, Titan, HCL Tech, Axis Bank, and Bajaj Finserv.

In the broader markets, the Nifty Next50 gained 0.38 per cent, as indices across the board rallied ahead. Sectorally, the Nifty Auto index gained 0.88 per cent, while the FMCG index crashed more than 1 per cent.

FII Selling Continues, DIIs Offer Support

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers on Thursday, offloading equities worth Rs 3,268.60 crore, according to exchange data. In contrast, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) continued to lend support to the market, purchasing shares worth Rs 1,525.89 crore.

Steady domestic institutional inflows are helping cushion the impact of persistent foreign selling and providing broader support to Indian equities, said Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth tech firm.

Asian Markets Trade Higher; US Shut For Holiday

Asian equity markets were trading in positive territory, offering early cues to domestic investors. South Korea’s Kospi, China’s Shanghai SSE Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index were all trading higher in early deals.

US markets were closed overnight on Thursday on account of the New Year’s Day holiday, resulting in the absence of fresh cues from Wall Street.

Crude Prices Firm In Early Trade

In the commodities market, Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, edged higher by 0.46 per cent to trade at $61.13 per barrel, remaining within a comfortable range for domestic macro stability.

Market participants are expected to track global cues, crude oil movements and institutional fund flows for direction in early trade, as the new calendar year begins on a cautious but steady note.

How Did Markets Start 2026?

Notably, the equity markets began the calendar year 2026 on a cautious and largely range-bound note, with benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ending almost flat amid thin holiday volumes, sustained foreign fund outflows and sharp stock-specific selling.

Initial optimism faded as heavy selling pressure in ITC shares and a weaker rupee weighed on overall sentiment, traders said. Selective buying in pockets offered limited support, preventing deeper losses.

The Sensex slipped 32 points or 0.04 per cent to close at 85,188.60 on Thursday, snapping an early uptick due to late-session selling. The Nifty managed to eke out marginal gains, rising 16.95 points or 0.06 per cent to settle at 26,146.55. According to analysts, this marked the smallest daily trading range for the index since September 17, 2025, highlighting market indecision and muted participation from both buyers and sellers.

Shares of cigarette and tobacco product makers fell sharply after the government notified February 1 as the date from which additional excise duty on tobacco products and a health cess on pan masala will come into force. Godfrey Phillips India plunged 17.09 per cent.

Indian equity markets entered 2026 in a consolidation mode, with indices hovering near record highs amid selective buying and profit-booking. “The Nifty-50 closed marginally higher at 26,146, managing to hold above the key 26,100 level despite muted global cues and holiday-thinned volumes,” said Aakash Shah, Research Analyst at Choice Broking.