Indian Stock Market Trades Flat Amid Holiday Caution and IT Sector Pressure
Indian equity markets traded flat on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, with Nifty 50 gaining 0.06% to 26,191.95 points ahead of Christmas holiday closure. IT stocks faced pressure over H-1B visa concerns while smallcap stocks outperformed with 0.54% gains. Market breadth remained mixed with 1,561 stocks advancing and 1,419 declining on NSE.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Indian equity markets traded in a narrow range on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the Christmas holiday closure. Despite supportive global cues from stronger-than-expected US growth data, domestic markets struggled to sustain early gains due to persistent foreign portfolio investor selling and profit booking activities.
Market Performance Overview
The benchmark indices showed mixed performance during the holiday-shortened session. Key market metrics reflected the cautious sentiment prevailing among investors.
| Index | Level | Change (Points) | Change (%) | Intraday High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensex | 85,522.17 | -2.67 | Flat | 85,738.18 |
| Nifty 50 | 26,191.95 | +14.80 | +0.06% | 26,236.40 |
| Smallcap Index | - | - | +0.54% | - |
| Midcap Index | - | - | +0.08% | - |
The Sensex opened at 85,533.11 against the previous close of 85,524.84, while the Nifty 50 managed to inch higher by 14.80 points. Smallcap stocks outperformed the broader market with a gain of 0.54%, indicating selective buying interest in smaller companies.
Sectoral Performance and Stock Movements
Sectoral performance displayed mixed trends across different industries. IT, pharmaceutical, and oil & gas sectors experienced selling pressure, while metals, media, realty, and auto sectors traded with modest gains.
Top Nifty 50 Performers:
- Gainers: Hindalco, Shriram Finance, Apollo Hospitals, Trent, and Max Healthcare led the advances
- Losers: Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Wipro, Sun Pharma, InterGlobe Aviation, and Reliance Industries declined the most
IT stocks faced particular headwinds as investor sentiment was affected by concerns over potential changes to the H-1B visa programme. The Trump administration's reported plan to replace the random lottery system with a process prioritising higher-skilled and higher-paid applicants raised concerns about hiring flexibility and costs for Indian IT firms. Major IT stocks including Mphasis, Wipro, Coforge, and Persistent Systems depreciated over 1.00%.
Broader Market Activity
Market breadth remained mixed with divergent performance across different market segments. Out of 3,107 stocks traded on the National Stock Exchange, 1,561 advanced while 1,419 declined, and 127 remained unchanged.
| Market Indicator | Count |
|---|---|
| 52-Week Highs | 81 stocks |
| 52-Week Lows | 34 stocks |
| Upper Circuit | 62 stocks |
| Lower Circuit | 29 stocks |
Midcap Highlights:
- Gainers: Bharat Dynamics, Indus Towers, National Aluminium, 360 One WAM, NTPC Green, and Muthoot Finance gained 2.00-4.00%
- Losers: Ashok Leyland, BSE Ltd, Mphasis, Coforge, Astral, and Glenmark declined 1.00-2.00%
Smallcap Standouts:
- Strong Performers: JBM Auto, Hindustan Copper, and Manappuram Finance rallied 6.00-10.00%
- Notable Gains: IIFL, Gillette, and Nuvama soared 3.00-4.00%
- Decliners: Kajaria Ceramics, Cyient, Neuland Lab, Bandhan Bank, and Gland Pharma fell 1.00-3.00%
On the BSE, VIP Industries and Websol Energy zoomed 12.00-14.00%, while HCC, Avanti Feeds, and Strides Pharma depreciated up to 4.00%. The market will remain closed on December 25, 2025, for the Christmas holiday, with trading expected to resume on the following working day.
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