Equity benchmarks traded in a narrow range during the afternoon session on Thursday, the first trading day of 2026, as investors maintained a cautious stance amid thin volumes with most global markets remaining shut for New Year’s Day.
As of 1.01 pm, the BSE Sensex stood at 85,235.17, up 14.57 points or 0.02 per cent from the previous close of 85,220.60, after opening at 85,255.55. The NSE Nifty gained 20.10 points or 0.08 per cent to 26,149.70 against the previous close of 26,129.60, having opened at 26,173.30.
The Nifty continued to trade near the upper end of its recent consolidation range, with the key 26,200-26,300 resistance band in focus. Immediate support was seen in the 26,000-26,050 zone, coinciding with the 20-day exponential moving average.
Bank Nifty displayed relative strength, rising 110.65 points or 0.19 per cent to 59,692.50, trading within the 59,550-59,700 range. The banking index faces immediate resistance in the 59,800-60,000 band, while the 58,800-59,000 support zone aligned with the rising trendline remains crucial.
Market breadth on the BSE was marginally positive, with 2,023 stocks advancing against 1,903 declining and 202 unchanged among 4,128 stocks traded. A total of 122 stocks hit 52-week highs, while 60 touched 52-week lows. Some 160 stocks were locked in upper circuit and 97 in lower circuit.
Among Nifty50 constituents, ITC emerged as the biggest loser, plunging 8.83 per cent to ₹367.40 from its previous close of ₹403.00, recording the highest traded value of ₹7,80,228.29 lakh. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories declined 1.60 per cent to ₹1,251.00, Bajaj Finance fell 1.24 per cent to ₹974.55, Bharat Electronics dropped 0.99 per cent to ₹395.65, and Tata Consumer Products slipped 0.92 per cent to ₹1,181.00.
On the gaining side, Adani Enterprises led with a 2.10 per cent rise to ₹283.90, followed by NTPC up 1.64 per cent to ₹334.95, Wipro gaining 1.44 per cent to ₹267.10, Infosys climbing 1.42 per cent to ₹1,638.30, and Tech Mahindra advancing 1.36 per cent to ₹1,612.60.
Sectoral indices showed mixed performance, with Nifty Financial Services adding 0.06 per cent to 27,629.70, Nifty Midcap 100 rising 0.21 per cent to 60,610.15, and Nifty Next 50 gaining 0.13 per cent to 69,454.25. However, Nifty Smallcap 100 declined 0.19 per cent to 17,680.80.
Trading activity remained subdued with limited global cues as major international markets including COMEX and LBMA remained closed. Market participants are expected to take fresh directional cues once normal trading resumes globally from January 2.