Published on: 22 Dec, 2025 03:05

The Indian stock market is set for a mildly positive opening on December 22, 2025, amid steady global cues and renewed foreign investor interest following recent economic data releases. Overnight, US indices closed flat to positive, with the S&P 500 up 0.2% on tech gains, while Asian peers like Nikkei rose 0.5%. GIFT Nifty futures hovered around 26,050, indicating a flat-to-upward start for Nifty 50, potentially adding 50-80 points at open. Volatility remains low, with India VIX below 12, supporting a consolidation phase.

The Indian stock market is set for a mildly positive opening on December 22, 2025, amid steady global cues and renewed foreign investor interest following recent economic data releases. Overnight, US indices closed flat to positive, with the S&P 500 up 0.2% on tech gains, while Asian peers like Nikkei rose 0.5%. GIFT Nifty futures hovered around 26,050, indicating a flat-to-upward start for Nifty 50, potentially adding 50-80 points at open. Volatility remains low, with India VIX below 12, supporting a consolidation phase.

Today's themes revolve around selective buying in defensives like pharma and consumer goods, amid festive demand tailwinds, and rotational plays in auto and tech sectors. From credible sources scanned today, we gathered about 25 unique recommendations, predominantly Buy calls from experts at Anand Rathi, Choice Broking, and global firms like Citi. Notable highlights include Sumeet Bagadia's Buy on Jio Financial Services and BEL, Vaishali Parekh's intraday picks like Torrent Power, and Citi's Buy on Varun Beverages. Sentiment tilts bullish, with 18 Buy-oriented calls emphasizing earnings growth and sector recoveries.

Section 1: Index Outlook

Benchmark indices are expected to trade in a range-bound manner with a positive bias, driven by FII inflows and improving macros. Nifty 50 could test higher levels if it sustains above 25,950, while Bank Nifty eyes resistance at 60,000 amid banking sector stability. Broader markets may see midcap outperformance on value buying.

Index Recommendation Target/Range Key Driver Source
Nifty 50 Mildly Positive 25,900–26,300 Technical breakout potential, FII buying Livemint
Sensex Positive 85,500–86,000 Aligned with Nifty momentum, low VIX Goodreturns
Bank Nifty Cautiously Positive 59,000–60,000 Doji pattern signaling stability NDTV Profit

Section 2: Sector-Wise Stock Picks

Banking & Financials

Financials attract attention with positive upgrades on growth prospects and stake acquisitions signaling confidence.

  • Jio Financial Services (JIOFIN.NS) – Buy, Target: Not specified (intraday focus), Rationale: Strong breakout signals and festive demand boost; undervalued amid digital expansion, Source: Sumeet Bagadia via Livemint.
  • Shriram Finance (SHRIRAMFIN.NS) – Positive (implied Buy), Target: Revised upward (not specified), Rationale: MUFG's 20% stake acquisition endorses fundamentals; expected AUM growth and rating upgrades, Source: Economic Times.

IT & Tech

Tech sees selective picks on AI and export recovery themes.

  • TCS (TCS.NS) – Buy (long-term), Target: Not specified, Rationale: Robust deal pipeline and IT services demand; positioned for global recovery, Source: Hedged.in via Livemint.
  • Syrma SGS Technology (SYRMA.NS) – Buy (intraday), Target: Not specified, Rationale: Technical strength for short-term gains; electronics manufacturing tailwinds, Source: Vaishali Parekh via Livemint.

Pharma & Healthcare

Pharma benefits from US market opportunities and earnings visibility.

  • Aurobindo Pharma (AUROPHARMA.NS) – Buy, Target: ₹1,220-1,230 (short-term), Rationale: Positive momentum with support levels intact; export growth expected, Source: Ganesh Dongre via Livemint.
  • Lupin (LUPIN.NS) – Buy (long-term), Target: Not specified, Rationale: Strong pipeline and US approvals; undervalued vs peers, Source: Hedged.in via Livemint.

Auto & Ancillaries

Auto sector picks up on EV and component demand.

  • Belrise Industries (BELRISE.NS) – Buy (intraday), Target: Not specified, Rationale: Breakout potential amid auto recovery; festive sales boost, Source: Vaishali Parekh via Livemint.
  • Lumax Auto Technologies (LUMAXTECH.NS) – Buy (breakout), Target: Not specified, Rationale: Technical indicators suggest upside; auto ancillary growth, Source: Sumeet Bagadia via Livemint.
  • CEAT (CEATLTD.NS) – Buy (short-term), Target: Not specified, Rationale: Tyre demand revival; positive charts, Source: Jigar Patel via Livemint.
  • Endurance Technologies (ENDURANCE.NS) – Buy (short-term), Target: Not specified, Rationale: Auto parts sector strength; earnings momentum, Source: Jigar Patel via Livemint.
  • Bharat Forge (BHARATFORG.NS) – Buy (long-term), Target: Not specified, Rationale: Defence and auto exports; diversified revenue, Source: Hedged.in via Livemint.

Power & Utilities

Power stocks gain on infrastructure push.

  • Torrent Power (TORNTPOWER.NS) – Buy (intraday), Target: Not specified, Rationale: Renewable energy focus; strong technical setup, Source: Vaishali Parekh via Livemint.

Consumer & FMCG

Consumer plays benefit from festive and rural recovery.

  • Asian Paints (ASIANPAINT.NS) – Buy, Target: Not specified, Rationale: Demand uptick in paints; breakout signals, Source: Sumeet Bagadia via Livemint.
  • Varun Beverages (VBL.NS) – Buy, Target: ₹675 (potential upside), Rationale: Acquisition of Twizza expands African footprint; growth in beverages, Source: Citi via Economic Times.

Agri & Chemicals

Agri sees buys on seasonal factors.

  • Coromandel International (COROMANDEL.NS) – Buy (breakout), Target: Not specified, Rationale: Fertilizer demand; positive agro outlook, Source: Sumeet Bagadia via Livemint.

Metals & Mining

Metals with selective positivity.

  • Shyam Metalics (SHYAMMETL.NS) – Buy (short-term), Target: Not specified, Rationale: Steel sector recovery; integrated operations, Source: Jigar Patel via Livemint.

Defence

Defence remains a thematic favorite.

  • BEL (BEL.NS) – Buy, Target: Not specified, Rationale: Order inflows and indigenization; strong defence capex, Source: Sumeet Bagadia via Livemint.

Section 3: Global & Thematic Insights

Global views emphasize India's resilience, with Citi highlighting acquisitions in consumer sectors for long-term growth. Brokerages like Anand Rathi favor short-term plays in autos and metals amid technical rebounds. Thematic focuses include festive consumption (paints, beverages) and exports (pharma, defence). No major regulatory updates from BSE/NSE today, but macro stability supports midcap value picks.

Conclusion & Disclaimer

Market sentiment is mildly bullish, with range-bound trading likely; focus on defensives and breakout stocks for gains. Investors should monitor Nifty's 26,000 resistance and auto/pharma sectors closely. This is aggregated data for informational purposes; consult a financial advisor. Not investment advice.

Sources & Citations

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