Stock Market Today: Sensex Near 84,600, Nifty Struggles to Cross 26,000

Indian stock market trades cautiously today as Sensex hovers near 84,500, and Nifty stays around 25,800

The Indian stock market is trading with cautious and mixed sentiment today, December 18, 2025, as investors react to global market weakness and ongoing economic uncertainties. Benchmark indices show limited movement during the trading session, indicating a lack of strong buying interest at higher levels. The market remains open and continues to fluctuate within a narrow range.

The Nifty 50 index is trading near the 25,820–25,850 zone, while the BSE Sensex is hovering around the 84,500–84,600 levels during the mid-session. Both indices open lower in the morning and struggle to build upward momentum. Selling pressure at higher levels and cautious positioning by traders are restricting any sharp recovery.

Broader market indices such as mid-caps and small-caps are underperforming the benchmarks. This reflects weak market breadth and a risk-averse approach among investors, especially after strong rallies seen earlier in the year.

Market Opening and Early Session Movement

The Indian equity market opened weakly, as the Sensex slipped below 84,500 and the Nifty fell under the 25,800 mark. Heavy selling in early trades is seen in a number of heavyweight stocks, especially those from the energy, automobile, and pharmaceutical sectors.

The weak start today morning is largely led by negative cues from the Asian markets and uncertainty over global economic conditions. Traders are concerned as they assess overnight developments from international markets and also await fresh triggers during the trading session.

However, as the market inches forward, the indices stage a partial recovery without holding strong gains, a manifestation of continued forbearance among participants.

Sector Performance and Trends in Stocks

The sector-wise performance remained uneven throughout the day. The financials, comprising some banking and NBFC names, too, extend limited support to the market. Buying interest in those stocks helps prevent deeper losses in the benchmark indices.

The IT sector is showing mild strength, supported by a slightly weak rupee and also expectations of stable global demand for technology services. However, gains in IT stocks remain selective rather than broad-based.

On the downside, energy, automobile, FMCG, and pharmaceutical stocks are under selling pressure. Rising input costs, valuation concerns, and worries over global demand weigh on these sectors. Metal stocks trade in mixed trends as global commodity prices show volatility.

Mid-cap and small-cap stocks continue to see higher volatility. Many of the names in these segments trade lower as investors prefer safer large-cap names during uncertain market conditions.

Global Market Influence and Asian Cues

Global market weakness is the big factor dictating the trend on Dalal Street today. In Asia, stocks start the week in negative territory as technology stocks slide on valuation worries and fears of slowing global growth.

Overnight losses in the US further add to the caution. Global risk appetite continues to be marred by interest rate outlooks, the sustainability of corporate earnings growth, and geopolitics. This makes for a cautious global environment that consequently restricts aggressive buying in Indian equities.

Foreign Investment Activity and Market Sentiment

Foreign institutional investor activity remains an important factor for Indian markets. Recent weeks witnessed intermittent foreign outflows, one of the contributing factors to market volatility. Though there is some buying interest that comes back briefly, confidence remains fragile.

Domestically, the market receives partial support from institutional investors. However, it isn't enough to lead to a sustained rally. The general sentiment is neutral to cautious, given that traders prefer short-term opportunities during this session over long-term commitments.

Major Corporate News Impacting the Market

One of the key corporate developments being closely followed now is the decision by Japan's MUFG to invest over $4 billion in acquiring a close to 20 per cent stake in Shriram Finance. It is being seen as a pretty strong signal for the NBFC and the financial space.

The deal underlines continued foreign interest in India's financial services space despite broader market uncertainty. Stocks related to the NBFC segment see selective buying interest following this news.

There are no major earnings announcements or corporate actions that dominate the session and keep the stock-specific movements limited.

Regulatory Developments and Policy Updates

Recent approvals by the Securities and Exchange Board of India to revise stockbroker regulations and mutual fund expense norms are affecting medium-term sentiment. These changes are targeted toward smoothing operations and cost efficiency in the financial ecosystem.

Though the immediate market impact is still very limited, regulatory clarity is seen to be good for long-term market stability and transparency.

Technical Levels and Market Structure

While talking technically, Nifty 50 is seeing immediate support near the 25,700-25,750 range, a breach below which may invite further selling pressure. On the upside, it is facing strong resistance in the 26,000-26,050 range as selling interest has emerged at this zone consistently.

The Sensex trades within a narrow band, thus in consolidation. The structure now indicates sideways markets with limited directional strength till fresh triggers come in.

The volatility levels remain moderate and reflect consolidation rather than panic selling.

Currency Movement and Macro Environment

The Indian rupee has traded weakly against the US dollar in recent sessions. A weaker rupee pushes up the cost for import-dependent sectors, apart from adding to inflation woes.

The global interest rate, inflation trends, and signals about the policy course from central banks also continued to influence market expectations. Therefore, investors keenly observe global economic data and commentaries by central banks to gather cues on liquidity and growth outlook.

Market Outlook for the Rest of the Session

The Indian stock market will remain range-bound unless strong global or domestic cues arise as trading continues. Investors keep a close watch on foreign investor activity, currency movement, and global market trends.

The overarching tone in the Indian stock market today is one of caution, with consolidation, selective buying, and sector-specific movements. While the long-term structural story remains intact, short-term direction is dicey and heavily dependent on global developments and clarity on policy direction.

The market remains active but constrained, with participants merely waiting for much clearer signals before taking strategic positions.