Sensex and Nifty Performance Overview

The benchmark Sensex opened at 84,891.75, down 375.91 points or 0.44% from the previous close, and traded with modest recovery to close near 84,943.04, marking a 0.38% loss on the day. The index remains approximately 1.39% below its 52-week high of 86,159.02. Technical indicators show the Sensex trading above its 50-day moving average (DMA), which itself is positioned above the 200 DMA, signalling a longer-term uptrend despite the short-term weakness.

The Nifty index mirrored this trend, with a broad-based decline across most sectors, reflecting cautious investor sentiment amid mixed global cues and domestic factors.

Sectoral Trends: Media Outperforms While Auto Faces Pressure

Out of 38 sectors tracked, only two sectors advanced while 36 sectors declined, underscoring the widespread market weakness. The Nifty Media sector emerged as the top gainer, posting a modest 0.43% rise, buoyed by select media stocks showing resilience. Conversely, the Auto sector was the largest laggard, slipping 0.92% as investors appeared cautious on the outlook for automobile companies amid slowing demand indicators.

Small-cap stocks traded largely flat, with a marginal decline of 0.1%, while mid-cap stocks saw a 0.32% fall. The broader BSE100 index declined by 0.41%, reflecting the overall cautious tone across market capitalisation segments.

Top Gainers and Losers Across Market Capitalisations

Among large caps, Indus Towers led the gainers with a 1.17% rise, supported by steady demand for telecom infrastructure services. Mid-cap stocks saw Aarti Industries advance by 5.54%, making it the top mid-cap performer for the day. In the small-cap space, Coffee Day Enterprises recorded a notable 10.47% gain, standing out amid a generally subdued market.

On the downside, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) was the largest large-cap loser, declining 2.33%, pressured by subdued crude oil prices and profit booking. Among mid-caps, Aegis Vopak Terminals fell 2.15%, while Moneyboxx Finance faced a sharp decline of 48.70% in the small-cap segment, reflecting company-specific challenges.

Market Breadth and Trading Activity

The advance-decline ratio across the BSE500 index was notably weak at 143 advances against 351 declines, translating to a ratio of 0.41x. This imbalance highlights the broad-based selling pressure that dominated the trading session. The small-cap and mid-cap indices also reflected this trend with declines of 0.1% and 0.32% respectively, indicating cautious investor positioning in riskier segments.

Foreign Institutional Investors and Domestic Institutional Investors Activity

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) activity remained subdued, reflecting the cautious market mood. While detailed net inflow or outflow figures were not disclosed, the overall market weakness and sectoral declines suggest restrained buying interest from institutional participants. This cautious stance may be attributed to mixed global economic signals and domestic macroeconomic data awaiting clarity.

Global Cues and Their Impact on Indian Markets

Global markets showed mixed performance, with major indices in the US and Europe experiencing modest declines amid concerns over inflation and monetary policy outlooks. Asian markets were similarly subdued, influenced by ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic data releases. These global factors contributed to the cautious sentiment in Indian markets, limiting upside momentum despite pockets of sectoral strength.

Notable Stock Movements in the BSE500 Index

Within the BSE500 index, Aarti Industries led the gainers with a 5.54% rise, followed by PVR Inox and Nuvoco Vistas, which posted gains of 3.88% and 3.68% respectively. These stocks benefitted from sector-specific developments and positive investor interest. On the other hand, CCL Products declined by 3.36%, Tejas Networks by 2.44%, and ONGC by 2.33%, reflecting profit booking and sectoral headwinds.

Technical Outlook and Moving Averages

The Sensex’s position above its 50-day moving average, which itself is above the 200-day moving average, suggests that the medium to long-term trend remains intact despite the recent pullback. This technical setup often indicates underlying strength, though the current session’s decline highlights short-term profit-taking and cautious investor sentiment. Market participants will be closely watching upcoming economic data and corporate earnings to gauge the sustainability of the current trend.

Conclusion: Market Sentiment Remains Cautious

Overall, the Indian equity markets on 15 Dec 2025 reflected a cautious stance with the Sensex and Nifty indices retreating amid broad-based selling pressure. Sectoral performance was mixed, with the media sector showing resilience while the auto sector faced headwinds. Select stocks such as Indus Towers and Aarti Industries provided bright spots in an otherwise subdued market environment. Market breadth and institutional activity pointed to restrained risk appetite, influenced by global uncertainties and domestic economic considerations.

Investors are advised to monitor technical indicators and sectoral developments closely, as well as global economic cues, to navigate the current market landscape effectively.

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