Sensex and Nifty Trends
The BSE Sensex opened flat with a slight dip of 41.32 points but gradually moved into positive territory, closing at 84,671.84, marking a gain of 112.19 points or 0.13%. This level places the index approximately 1.76% below its 52-week high of 86,159.02. The index remains positioned above its 50-day moving average (DMA), which itself is trading above the 200 DMA, signalling a sustained medium-term upward trend. Large-cap stocks primarily supported the market’s modest advance, with the Sensex’s performance reflecting cautious optimism among investors.
Sectoral Performance Highlights
Out of 38 sectors tracked on the BSE, 20 sectors recorded gains while 18 sectors declined, indicating a fairly balanced market mood. The Information Technology (IT) sector emerged as the top gainer, advancing by 0.95%, buoyed by select large-cap IT stocks. Conversely, the Power sector lagged, falling by 0.92%, weighed down by profit-taking and subdued demand outlooks.
Market Breadth and Capitalisation Segments
The advance-decline ratio across the BSE500 stood at 0.71x, with 207 stocks advancing against 291 declining, reflecting a cautious market environment. Large-cap stocks led the gains, with the BSE100 index rising by 0.17%. Mid-cap stocks also edged higher by 0.10%, while small-cap stocks faced pressure, declining by 0.24%. Small-cap stocks traded largely flat throughout the session, indicating selective investor interest.
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Top Gainers and Losers Across Market Caps
Among the BSE500 constituents, HDFC AMC led the large-cap gainers with a notable rise of 6.75%. Hindustan Copper and HBL Engineering followed with gains of 5.18% and 4.69% respectively. In the mid-cap segment, Nippon Life India recorded a 4.39% increase, while Antony Waste Handling topped the small-cap gainers with a substantial 16.04% rise.
On the downside, IOC was the largest large-cap decliner, falling by 3.51%. Ola Electric led mid-cap losses with a 4.98% decline, while Moneyboxx Finance was the most affected small-cap stock, down 6.83%. Other notable losers included PTC Industries and Siemens Energy Industries, which declined by 4.82% and 4.65% respectively.
Foreign and Domestic Institutional Activity
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) and domestic institutional investors (DIIs) maintained a cautious stance amid mixed global cues. While detailed net flows were not disclosed, the subdued market breadth and sectoral divergence suggest restrained participation from both groups. This cautious approach aligns with ongoing global uncertainties and the upcoming earnings season, including the scheduled result announcement of Sudeep Pharma on 19 Dec 2025.
Global Market Influence
Global markets exhibited mixed trends, with major indices in the US and Europe showing modest fluctuations ahead of key economic data releases. Asian markets traded cautiously, reflecting investor anticipation of central bank policy signals. These global developments contributed to the Indian market’s measured gains and selective sectoral performance.
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Outlook and Investor Considerations
The Indian equity market’s current positioning above key moving averages suggests a resilient medium-term trend, despite the cautious trading environment. Investors may find opportunities in sectors showing relative strength, such as Information Technology, while monitoring lagging sectors like Power for potential recovery signals. The upcoming earnings season, including results from companies like Sudeep Pharma, is likely to provide further directional cues.
Market participants should also consider the impact of global economic developments and institutional flows on domestic equities. The mixed advance-decline ratio and divergent sectoral performance highlight the importance of selective stock picking and risk management in the current phase.
Summary
On 18 Dec 2025, the Sensex recorded a modest gain of 0.13%, supported by large-cap stocks and a positive IT sector. Market breadth remained cautious with more declines than advances, and small-cap stocks faced pressure. Top gainers included HDFC AMC and Antony Waste Handling, while IOC and Ola Electric were among the notable decliners. Institutional activity was subdued amid mixed global cues, with investors awaiting upcoming corporate earnings for clearer market direction.
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