Stock Market Today: Sensex, Nifty End Flat As Investors Await US Inflation Data

Stock Market Today: This cautious market sentiment is likely to continue until inflation data are released, ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee's meeting on December 17-18

Stock Market Today: The Sensex and Nifty traded within a narrow range for the third straight session on Wednesday, closing almost flat as investors awaited crucial inflation data from the US later in the day and India's CPI release on Thursday. These data points are anticipated to provide insights into the future rate outlook for both economies. 

This cautious market sentiment is likely to continue until inflation data are released, ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee's meeting on December 17-18.

At the close, the Sensex gained 16 points or 0.02 per cent, ending at 81,526, while the Nifty rose 32 points or 0.1 per cent, settling at 24,642. A total of 2,053 shares advanced, 1,772 shares declined, and 109 shares remained unchanged.

Bajaj Finance, Nestle, Bajaj Finserv, Asian Paint and Ultra Tech were the top gainers on the Nifty 50 index. On the other hand, JSW Steel, Adani Ports, NTPC, SBI, and RIL were among the biggest losers.

Sectorial Front

On the sectoral front, IT, auto, and FMCG stocks led the gains on the Nifty. The IT index rose by 0.3 per cent, supported by gains in Infosys and LTIMindtree. Infosys shares climbed nearly 1 per cent after its joint venture, Infosys Compaz, strengthened its collaboration with Singapore-based StarHub.

The Nifty Auto index gained 0.4 per cent, driven by strong performances from Maruti Suzuki, Hero MotoCorp, and M&M, with Jefferies naming M&M as a top pick in the sector. The Nifty FMCG index also rose 0.4 per cent, led by gains in Britannia, Marico, and Nestle.

Cement stocks drew attention as dealers raised prices for the first time in 4-5 months. The price hikes were attributed to increased demand from the real estate sector, improved labour availability post-festive season, and higher infrastructure orders. Shares of ACC, Ambuja Cement, Birla Corp, Dalmia Bharat, JK Cement, JK Lakshmi Cement, Prism Cement, and Star Cement rose by 0.5–4 per cent.

Railway stocks surged, with several companies continuing their recovery from the lows reached in November. Shares of BEML, IRCON International, IRFC, and Rail Vikas rose by 2-5 per cent.

Broader Market

The broader market continued to outperform the benchmarks, with the BSE Midcap index climbing 0.3 per cent and the BSE Smallcap index gaining 0.4 per cent.