Sensex and Nifty Trends
The benchmark Sensex opened the day flat with a marginal change of 8.27 points but gradually moved higher to close near the day’s peak. At 85,646.96, the index remains approximately 0.6% below its 52-week high of 86,159.02, indicating resilience despite recent volatility. The index is trading comfortably above its 50-day moving average (DMA), which itself is positioned above the 200 DMA, a technical setup often interpreted as a bullish signal by market participants.
The Nifty index mirrored this trend, supported by broad-based sectoral participation, although specific sector performances varied considerably.
Sectoral Performance: Media Leads, IT Trails
Out of 38 sectors tracked, 29 sectors recorded gains while 9 sectors declined, reflecting a broadly positive market environment. The NIFTY Media sector emerged as the top performer, registering a gain of 0.81%, buoyed by select media and entertainment stocks showing strength amid festive season advertising spends. Conversely, the NIFTY IT sector lagged with a decline of 0.69%, pressured by profit-booking and cautious outlooks amid global tech uncertainties.
Market Capitalisation Segments: Small Caps in Focus
Small caps led the market advance with the BSE Small Cap index rising by 0.21%, marginally outpacing the Mid Cap and BSE100 indices, which gained 0.20% and 0.16% respectively. Large caps traded largely flat, reflecting a cautious stance among institutional investors towards heavyweight stocks.
Top Gainers and Losers Across Market Caps
Among the BSE500 constituents, JBM Auto stood out with a robust gain of 8.43%, supported by positive sectoral momentum in the auto ancillary space. GMDC and Hindustan Copper followed with gains of 5.50% and 4.19% respectively, reflecting renewed interest in metals and mining stocks amid stable commodity prices.
On the downside, Coforge was the top loser among large and mid caps, declining by 1.71%, weighed down by subdued IT sector sentiment. OneSource Speciality and Navin Fluorine International also recorded losses of 1.68% and 1.58% respectively. Among small caps, Sandhar Technologies faced selling pressure, falling 5.52%.
Large, Mid and Small Cap Highlights
Dixon Technologies led the large cap gainers with a 2.64% rise, reflecting investor interest in consumer electronics manufacturing. Ajanta Pharma was the top mid cap gainer, advancing 4.02%, supported by steady earnings growth and favourable market conditions. K&R Rail Engineering emerged as the top small cap gainer, surging 15.74%, signalling strong buying interest in niche industrial stocks.
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Market Breadth and Investor Activity
The advance-decline ratio across the BSE500 stood at 1.18x, with 268 advances against 227 declines, indicating a market environment tilted towards buying interest. This breadth suggests that the rally was supported by a broad set of stocks rather than concentrated in a few large caps.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) and domestic institutional investors (DIIs) activity data for the day was not explicitly detailed, but the market’s steady performance amid global cues points to a balanced participation from both segments.
Global Cues and Outlook
Global markets showed mixed signals on 24 December 2025, with US and European indices trading cautiously ahead of the holiday season. Commodity prices remained stable, supporting metals and mining stocks in India. The cautious optimism in global equities, combined with steady domestic economic indicators, contributed to the Indian market’s modest gains.
Technical Indicators and Market Sentiment
The Sensex’s position above its 50 DMA, which itself is above the 200 DMA, suggests a continuation of the medium-term uptrend. However, the index remains slightly below its 52-week high, indicating some resistance at higher levels. Investors appear to be selectively accumulating stocks in sectors showing relative strength, such as media and auto ancillaries, while remaining cautious on IT and certain small caps facing profit-taking.
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Investor Takeaway
As the year draws to a close, the Indian equity market’s modest gains and positive breadth reflect a cautious but constructive investor sentiment. The leadership of small caps and select mid caps, alongside steady large cap performance, suggests a balanced market environment. Investors may find opportunities in sectors showing relative strength, such as media and auto ancillaries, while monitoring global developments and sector-specific headwinds.
Stocks like Dixon Technologies and JBM Auto have demonstrated resilience and buying interest, making them noteworthy for market participants tracking sectoral trends. Meanwhile, caution is advised in IT and certain small cap stocks where profit-taking has emerged.
Overall, the market’s technical positioning above key moving averages and the breadth of advancing stocks provide a foundation for measured optimism as investors prepare for 2026.
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