Markets anticipate a mildly positive opening on December 19, 2025, supported by global tech strength and Fed cut hopes, despite persistent rupee weakness and foreign outflows.
Key Themes & Picks
Gift Nifty signals a gap-up opening, indicating a technical rebound.
Banking, IT, and metals sectors lead on RBI easing and global demand.
ICICI Securities provides a bullish Nifty target of 29,500 for 2026.
Specific calls: Buy Bank of India and Tech Mahindra highlighted.
Rupee at record lows remains a concern amid FII outflow risks.
As Indian markets gear up for the trading session on December 19, 2025, pre-market indicators point to a mildly positive opening amid mixed global cues. The Gift Nifty futures are trading at around 25,926, up 54 points or 0.21%, signaling a potential rebound for the Nifty 50 and Sensex after recent volatility. Overnight, US futures remained steady following a tech-led rally on Wall Street, while Asian markets showed resilience with Japan's Nikkei up 0.6% and South Korea's Kospi climbing 1.2%. The rupee's weakness persists, closing at a record low near 91 against the dollar, driven by foreign outflows and trade deficits, but softer US inflation data has boosted hopes for a Federal Reserve rate cut, potentially easing pressure on emerging markets.
Key themes today include renewed focus on the banking sector amid RBI's easing signals, strength in IT and metals from global demand, and pharma amid export optimism. A total of around 25 fresh recommendations were aggregated from sources like ICICI Securities, InCred Research, and market portals, with limited updates from domestic brokerages due to the early hour. Standout calls include ICICI Securities' bullish Nifty outlook targeting 29,500 by 2026, a 'Buy' on Bank of India with Rs 180 target, and positive ratings for IT stocks like Tech Mahindra amid sector outperformance. Investors should monitor FII flows and central bank decisions for intraday shifts.
The overall sentiment for major indices remains cautiously optimistic, with analysts expecting the Nifty 50 to test higher levels if global cues hold firm. ICICI Securities forecasts a climb to 29,500 by 2026, driven by easing rates and corporate earnings recovery. The Sensex could mirror this, with support from banking and IT sectors. However, volatility persists due to FII selling, with key support at 25,700-25,800 for Nifty. Pre-market data suggests a firm open, but resistance looms at 25,950-26,000.
| Index | Recommendation | Target/Range | Key Driver | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | Bullish | 29,500 (by 2026) | RBI rate cuts, IT earnings | ICICI Securities |
| Sensex | Positive | 85,500-86,000 | Global rebound, metal strength | Moneycontrol |
| Bank Nifty | Neutral | 56,000-56,500 | Banking focus post-RBI | Economic Times |
Recommendations today lean toward defensive and growth-oriented sectors like banking, IT, and pharma, with upgrades tied to earnings visibility and global demand. IT and metals led yesterday's outperformance, providing support amid broader caution. Below are categorized picks, focusing on fresh calls or updates from December 19 or the last 24 hours. Targets reflect upside from recent closes, with rationales summarized.
(Note: Data sparse for some sectors like energy; no fresh calls from global brokerages specifically timestamped today.)
Global brokerages maintain a positive stance on India, with Morgan Stanley highlighting a "good perfect storm" for growth driven by macro stability and capital markets. Macquarie sees value in midcaps, while Jefferies points to infrastructure and services as long-term drivers. Thematically, export-oriented plays in IT and pharma are favored amid US rate cut expectations. No major regulatory announcements from BSE/NSE today, but block deals in stocks like GPT Infra signal institutional interest. Cross-border views emphasize India's outperformance in Asia.
The market sentiment tilts bullish for the open but neutral overall, with potential for upside if FII flows reverse. Investors should watch the banking and IT sectors closely for momentum. This is a pre-market snapshot – updates may evolve post-9:15 AM IST.
Disclaimer: This aggregated data is for informational purposes only; consult a financial advisor before acting. Not investment advice; markets involve risks.