The BSE Sensex fell 322.39 points, or 0.38%, to close at 85,439.62, while the NSE Nifty 50 slipped 78.25 points, or 0.30%, to end the session at 26,250.30.
Here’s how analysts read the market pulse:
Domestic markets began the first full week of 2026 on a cautious footing, as Indian 10-year bond yields reflected expectations of elevated government borrowing, said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments, adding that on a positive note, December GST collections saw a rebound after November’s dip, while the manufacturing PMI moderated but stayed firmly in expansionary territory.
“Early Q3 trends in bank credit/advances indicate strong momentum, supporting overall optimism. Globally, investors are awaiting key U.S. economic data and Fed guidance, while the BoJ reaffirmed its tightening stance. Looking ahead, Q3 earnings will dominate focus and guide near-term market trends, with sentiment remaining moderately positive,” said Nair.
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US markets
Stocks rose in morning trading on Wall Street Monday to kick off the first full week of the new year, led by energy and technology companies.
Energy companies and the oil market were a key focus after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a weekend raid. The price of U.S. crude jumped 1.3% to $58.07 per barrel. The price of Brent crude, the international standard, rose 1.1% to $61.43 per barrel.President Donald Trump has floated a plan for U.S. oil companies to help rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry. Chevron surged 4.3% and Exxon Mobil rose 1.1% for some of the strongest gains in the market.
European Markets
European stocks kicked off the week on firmer footing, as U.S. military strikes on Venezuela stirred fresh geopolitical concerns and sent investors piling into defence industry stocks on Monday.
A STOXX benchmark of Europe’s biggest companies rose 0.3% while MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 1.3% to a record high.
Tech View
The Nifty witnessed profit-taking after registering a new all-time high and the near-term trend remains strong, as the index closed above the recent breakout level, said Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, adding that momentum indicators such as the RSI and key moving averages continue to maintain positive positioning.
“On the downside, support is placed in the 26,170–26,200 zone; a decisive break below 26,170 may trigger a corrective move towards 26,000. On the upside, resistance is placed in the 26,370–26,400 zone,” said De.
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Most active stocks in terms of turnover
Hindustan Copper (Rs 2,927 crore), HDFC Bank (Rs 2,721 crore), Netweb Technologies (Rs 2,366 crore), ITC (Rs 1,695 crore), RIL (Rs 1,384 crore), Ola Electric Mobility (Rs 1,375 crore) and Vodafone Idea (Rs 1,178 crore) were among the most active stocks on BSE in value terms. Higher activity in a counter in value terms can help identify the counters with highest trading turnovers in the day.
Most active stocks in volume terms
ITC (Traded shares: 4.83 crore), Tata Steel (Traded shares: 3.06 crore), HDFC Bank (Traded shares: 2.76 crore), Eternal (Traded shares: 1.93 crore), NTPC (Traded shares: 1.82 crore), Power Grid (Traded shares: 1.15 crore) and SBI (Traded shares: 1.12 crore) were among the most actively traded stocks in volume terms on NSE.
Stocks showing buying interest
Shares of Nestle India, UltraTech Cement, Tata Steel, Asian Paints, HUL, Axis Bank and ICICI Bank were among the stocks that witnessed strong buying interest from market participants.
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52 Week high
Over 209 stocks hit their 52-week highs today while 144 stocks slipped to their 52-week lows. Among the ones which hit their 52 week highs included Maruti Suzuki and Titan.
Stocks seeing selling pressure
Stocks which witnessed significant selling pressure were HDFC Bank, Infosys, HCL Tech, Bajaj Finance, TCS, Tech Mahindra and RIL.
Sentiment meter bearish
The market sentiments were bearish. Out of the 4,471 stocks that traded on the BSE on Monday, 2,545 stocks witnessed declines, 1,723 saw advances, while 203 stocks remained unchanged.
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(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
