Synopsis : Indian stock markets traded in a narrow and volatile range as buying in auto and pharma stocks offset weakness in select banking and IT shares. Global cues and index rebalancing updates kept investors cautious.
Indian equity benchmark indices witnessed choppy trade on Wednesday, with the Sensex and Nifty oscillating between gains and losses as sectoral trends remained mixed. Strength in auto and healthcare stocks offered support, while select banking and IT counters weighed on overall sentiment.
Among the Sensex 30 constituents, Mahindra & Mahindra and Titan climbed around 1% each, emerging as key gainers. Maruti Suzuki and SBI also saw buying interest. On the downside, HCL Technologies, Trent and TCS slipped about 1% each, reflecting continued pressure in pockets of the IT space.
The broader market showed mild weakness, with the BSE MidCap index down 0.4% and the SmallCap index lower by 0.2%, indicating a cautious undertone beyond frontline stocks.
Overnight, US markets delivered mixed cues. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended lower, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up to its third straight record close. Investors reacted to weak December retail sales data, which showed consumer spending remained flat, missing expectations of a 0.4% increase, and ahead of a crucial US labour market report.
Adding to market focus, MSCI’s February 2026 index review brought notable changes. Aditya Birla Capital and L&T Finance were added to the MSCI Global Standard Index, while IRCTC was excluded. AU Small Finance Bank will see a weight increase following a float adjustment. India’s overall weight in the MSCI Standard Index remains unchanged at 14.1%, while the number of Indian companies in the index rises to 165.
Investors are also tracking an active Q3 earnings calendar, with results due from companies such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Divi’s Labs, Ashok Leyland, Patanjali Foods, AstraZeneca Pharma, Bayer CropScience, Amara Raja Energy, and others.
On the primary market front, Fractal Analytics and Aye Finance IPOs enter their last day of subscription in the mainboard segment. In the SME space, Grover Jewells and Brandman Retail will debut on the NSE SME platform, while the basis of allotment for Biopol Chemicals and PAN HR Solutions will be finalised today.
With global cues mixed and domestic stock-specific triggers in play, market participants are expected to remain selective in the near term.
Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Readers should consult a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
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